Riding through time: Andalusian pilgrims on horseback to Makkah
Spanish Muslims revive a centuries-old pilgrimage route, traveling on horseback through Europe on their way to the Holy city
ANDALUSIA, Spain (MNTV) — Through rolling hills, dense forests, and historic towns, a group of Spanish Muslims is retracing the ancient pilgrimage route once taken by their Andalusian ancestors.
Riding on horseback, they have journeyed across Europe for three months and recently arrived in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with their sights set on the ultimate destination—Makkah.
Led by Abdallah Hernandez and his companions, Abdelkader Harkassi and Tariq Rodriguez, the journey is a revival of a long-forgotten path used by Andalusian Muslims before the fall of Muslim Spain.
Dubbed “Hajj on Horseback,” the expedition seeks to reconnect with a lost legacy, blending faith, endurance, and history.
“We have traveled across most of Europe, and now we are in Sarajevo. This is the peak of our journey, Alhamdulillah,”
Harkassi told the Turkish official news agency Anadolu that they received a warm welcome in Bosnia.
Their path has not been an easy one. With over 8,000 kilometers to cover, they have trained for three years in Spain and Portugal, preparing their Arabian horses for the grueling trek across mountains, rivers, and ever-changing weather conditions.
Their journey has already taken them through France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and now Bosnia, with plans to continue through Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Türkiye.
However, the road has been fraught with obstacles. Border crossings have posed challenges, particularly in Serbia, where a recent government collapse prevented them from entering due to bureaucratic complications.
But setbacks have not dampened their spirits. With each mile, they rekindle a forgotten past and inspire thousands who follow their odyssey on social media.
Beyond a test of endurance, their mission is symbolic. The Muslim presence in Spain endured for nearly 800 years before the Christian Reconquista forced its decline. By retracing this path to Makkah, Hernandez and his companions are not only reviving a sacred journey but also reclaiming a piece of history that was nearly lost to time.
As they ride onward, the echoes of Andalusia’s past resound in their hoofbeats—an ancient pilgrimage reborn in the modern era, one step closer to its holy destination.
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