Spanish Modern-day caravan makes seven-month pilgrimage from Andalusia to Makkah

Spanish Modern-day caravan makes seven-month pilgrimage from Andalusia to Makkah
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A small group of Spanish Muslims has completed a remarkable 6,500km horseback pilgrimage from Andalusia, Spain, to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, retracing a 500-year-old route used by their ancestors, The National reported.

The journey, lasting nearly seven months and concluding just before Hajj 2025, was undertaken by Abdelkader Harkassi Aidi, Tarek Rodriguez, and Abdallah Rafael Hernandez Mancha, who were initially joined by Mohamed Mesbahi.

Starting in October from an Andalusian mosque in Almonaster la Real, the riders trained for four years with Arabian horses known for endurance. They faced financial challenges, covering about 40km daily, camping, and relying on equestrian centers in Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina marked a turning point with warm Muslim community welcomes, followed by Turkey, where they reunited with their own horses and were celebrated like historic Hajj caravans.

Despite logistical difficulties entering Saudi Arabia, where they had to leave their horses, the group was welcomed with hospitality and honored by officials. Now in Makkah preparing for Hajj, they reflect on the spiritual and cultural significance of their journey, emphasizing faith, patience, and commitment as keys to their success.