Petualangan 3 Sahabat Menunggang Kuda Sejauh 8000 Km Demi

Three friends from Spain traveled to Hajj by horseback for a total distance of 8,000 km.

The Adventure of 3 Friends Riding Horses for 8,000 Km to Perform Hajj

The cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia are becoming increasingly crowded with pilgrims from all over the world. These pilgrims arrive by airplane, ship, car, and even bicycle.

Among them, three friends took a different path. These three friends from Spain traveled to Saudi Arabia on horseback.

Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez, and Tariq Rodriguez aimed to revive the sacred travel route last used by Andalusian Muslims more than 500 years ago.

According to SARGA News via Arabnews.com, their journey took them through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan. They traveled 8,000 kilometers on horseback.

Since they converted to Islam 35 years ago, these three friends have been ambitious to do the Hajj on horseback. In early May 2025, they arrived at the northern border of Saudi Arabia—just in time for the Hajj season.

During the journey, they were accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction manager living in Spain, who provided logistical support to the team by leading the way in a car.

"Through this journey, we want to rediscover the historic Andalusian route from Spain to the Haram in Mecca. It's a journey full of challenges—every step is felt by us and the horses—but it's also a journey for the soul,"
said Hernandez.

Source: Arabnews.com

Their journey was not entirely smooth. Years of saving money and training were necessary to make the adventure possible.

After completing the necessary preparations, new challenges arose during the journey.
They had to traverse various terrains and extreme weather conditions, which sometimes came unexpectedly.

One major challenge they faced was being unable to cross certain borders because horses were no longer considered a mode of transportation.

"(The horses) had to be 'imported' into each country as livestock. But Alhamdulillah, we managed to complete all the necessary documents so far," said Hernandez.

The Hajj on Horseback project, which began with limited funds, received support from Muslims throughout their journey toward Mecca, enough to sustain them and their horses in reaching the Holy Land.

Though filled with challenges and new experiences, the three friends have now arrived safely in Mecca, ready to perform the Hajj pilgrimage alongside millions of fellow Muslims from around the world.

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The Adventure of 3 Friends Riding Horses for 8,000 Km to Perform Hajj

"Through this journey, we want to rediscover the historic Andalusian route from Spain to the Haram in Mecca. It's a journey full of challenges—every step is felt by us and the horses—but it's also a journey for the soul,"said Hernandez.

"(The horses) had to be 'imported' into each country as livestock. But Alhamdulillah, we managed to complete all the necessary documents so far," said Hernandez.