Pilgrims ride horses from Spain to Saudi Arabia after 8-month journey for Hajj

Three friends from Spain and one from Morocco arrived in Saudi Arabia’s border town of Al-Hadithah to perform the Hajj pilgrimage after completing an extraordinary 8,000-kilometer horseback journey from Europe that began nearly eight months ago.

 The group, consisting of Abdallah Hernandez, Abdelkader Harkassi, Tariq Rodriguez, and a Moroccan citizen, traveled from Spain, crossing through several countries like Italy, Slovenia, and Greece, before entering Saudi Arabia via the Al Hadithah border crossing. 

Their journey was a revival of an Andalusian Muslim tradition of traveling to Mecca on horseback.

The travelers set out from Andalusia in September 2024 to fulfill the sacred Islamic duty of Hajj, reviving the centuries-old tradition of their ancestors who once journeyed to Makkah by horse.

According to Al Arabiya, the pilgrims—led by Abdul Qadir Harkasi—spent 35 years planning this historic expedition, undergoing rigorous training to prepare for the physical and mental demands of the trek. 

Braving Europe’s harsh winter and traversing multiple countries, including France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, they eventually reached Turkey and then continued through Syria and Jordan before crossing into Saudi Arabia.

They arrived at the Al-Hadithah border checkpoint in Al-Qurayyat on May 1, 2025, where they were warmly welcomed by local dignitaries.

 A special reception was organized by Al-Hadithah center’s head, Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, who praised their resilience and spirit.

Despite facing various challenges along the way, the pilgrims remained steadfast in their mission. 

"We started this journey from Andalusia on horseback and it took us six months just to reach Turkey. But we never considered giving up," said Harkasi.

The journey is seen not just as a physical feat, but as a spiritual revival—connecting modern-day pilgrims with the legacy of those who once traveled vast distances by traditional means to fulfill their faith.

Motivation:

The journey was initiated by one of the pilgrims after embracing Islam, with a vow to make the Hajj on horseback. 

Route:

The group traveled across Europe, including Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, before entering Saudi Arabia. 

Duration:

The journey from Spain to Istanbul took about 3.5 months, and the total distance was approximately 8,000 kilometers. 

Arrival:

The pilgrims were warmly welcomed in Saudi Arabia, with officials and volunteers providing refreshments and guidance. 

Tradition:

The horseback journey was inspired by an Andalusian Muslim tradition of traveling to Mecca on horseback centuries ago.