Three friends from Spain—Abdullah Hernández, Abdul Qadir Harkasi, and Tariq Rodriguez—have completed an incredible journey to Mecca for Hajj, riding on horseback for over 8,000 kilometers. Their trip took nearly three months and passed through 10 different countries. What makes their journey even more special is that they were following an old tradition from the time of Andalusian Muslims, who used to travel to perform Hajj in this way centuries ago.
The idea for the journey began when Abdullah Hernández embraced Islam and made a promise to perform Hajj on horseback, just as Muslims once did in the past. He was joined by his two close friends, and the group was also supported by Boucheb Jadil, who followed alongside them in a vehicle to provide help when needed.
During the journey, they spent the holy month of Ramadan in Istanbul, Turkey, where they visited many historical mosques and connected deeply with the Islamic history of the city. After Ramadan, they continued their way through countries including Syria before finally reaching Saudi Arabia and arriving in Mecca.
This long and challenging journey was not just about reaching a destination. It was a powerful symbol of their faith, devotion, and the desire to reconnect with a rich cultural and spiritual tradition. By choosing to travel this way, they showed great determination, love for their religion, and respect for the Islamic heritage of the past.
