Spanish Pilgrims Ride on Horseback from Europe to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, Reviving 500-Year-Old Route

Three Spanish Muslims have completed a remarkable 8,000-kilometre journey on horseback from southern Spain to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, reviving an ancient pilgrimage route not used for over five centuries by Andalusian Muslims.

Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez, and Tariq Rodriguez began their journey in October 2024 from Al-Monaster Mosque in southern Spain. After traversing 10 countries — including France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan — the trio arrived in Qurayyat, in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf Province, earlier this week. Their trek, dubbed “Hajj on Horseback,” is being hailed as a revival of a forgotten chapter in Islamic history.

The group is accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction worker based in Spain, who is offering logistical support by driving ahead of the riders. The journey has been documented on social media, earning them widespread admiration from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities across Europe and the Middle East.

Their arrival in Saudi Arabia was met with a warm reception. Local officials, including Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, head of Al-Haditha Center, welcomed them in Qurayyat. Residents gathered to greet the travelers, take photographs, and offer words of encouragement for the final leg of their pilgrimage to Makkah.

For Hernandez, who embraced Islam 35 years ago, the journey is the fulfillment of a personal vow. “I made a promise to complete the Hajj as my Andalusian ancestors once did — on horseback. This journey is a tribute to that heritage and a spiritual quest,” he told Arab News.

The team spent two years training and saving for the expedition, which involved overcoming harsh weather, physical fatigue, and bureaucratic hurdles — especially related to transporting horses across international borders. “Crossing borders has been the biggest challenge,” said Hernandez. “Horses are no longer viewed as transport, so we had to deal with complex livestock regulations.”

Despite the challenges, the riders were met with hospitality across every nation. “We’ve been received with open arms,” said Hernandez. “From shared meals in European villages to warm welcomes in Muslim towns, the kindness has been overwhelming.”

Harkassi noted the significance of their journey: “We did this with pure intentions — to realize the Hajj in a way that honors our past. We’re almost there, and we pray the final steps are smooth.”

The group’s arrival underscores the enduring power of faith, heritage, and resilience — and their horseback pilgrimage has captured the imagination of people across continents.