Spanish Pilgrims Ride Horses 8,000km to Mecca, Retrace Forgotten Haj Route
Spanish pilgrims Abdelkader Harkassi Aidi, Tarek Rodriguez, and Abdallah Rafael Hernandez Mancha rode horses 8,000km from Spain to Mecca, reviving a haj route last used in 1491. Through storms, snow, and relentless saddle chafing, they declared, “That 8,000km became nothing” when finally reaching the Kaaba.
No living soul had hoofed this route to the Great Mosque since 1491, but the trio’s seven-month equestrian odyssey spanned 10 countries and countless cups of tea. “We had crossed so many kilometres to be there and Allah had replied to our wish,” said Harkassi, as horses eyed the nearest patch of shade.
The last recorded horseback haj from Spain to Mecca took place in 1491—making this trio’s 8,000km, 7-month journey the first of its kind in over five centuries, with only their saddles for company.
