Mohamed Boulabiar, a traveler from France, embarked on an extraordinary journey lasting eight months to perform Umrah, covering a distance of 8,000 kilometers across 13 countries.
Boulabiar shared that he prepared for this epic journey for two years. Starting from Paris on August 27, 2023, he traveled through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan before finally arriving in Saudi Arabia.
During his trek, Boulabiar carried only a map, a 25-kilogram bag with essential supplies, and a tent. Most nights, he stayed in mosques or was graciously hosted by strangers who welcomed him into their homes.
He described the weather as the most challenging part of his journey, experiencing summer, autumn, winter, and spring along the way. Boulabiar faced storms, thunderstorms, and even a snowstorm at the Greek border, which delayed his trip for a week.