Three enthusiastic pilgrims undertook a challenging pilgrimage from Spain to Saudi Arabia, covering nearly 4,000 miles on horseback, while sharing their experiences live with followers on social media.
Pilgrimage of the Modern Age: Three Spaniards Ride to Mecca on Horseback
Pilgrimage of the Modern Age: Three Spaniards Ride to Mecca on Horseback
A group of pilgrims revives a centuries-old tradition by traveling from Spain to Saudi Arabia on horseback, documenting their journey on social media.
In a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity, three Spanish pilgrims set off on an extraordinary journey to Mecca, riding horses across nearly 4,000 miles and documenting their adventures via social media. More than 1.5 million people attended this year’s hajj, but only these three chose to honor an age-old pilgrimage by recreating it on horseback, a homage to Andalusian Muslims of yore.
Their journey, dubbed “Hajj on Horseback,” was not without its challenges. Over the course of seven months, they traversed a range of landscapes and nations, often facing perilous situations. In Bosnia, they lost valuable days searching for replacement horses after theirs escaped, culminating in a terrifying moment when they inadvertently wandered into a minefield. Meanwhile, in a muddy French tunnel, panic ensued as their horses floundered, resulting in one rider plunging into the muck, struggling to save a drowning horse.
“Fear gripped us,” shared Abdelkader Harkassi Aidi, one of the pilgrims. “We had never encountered such chaos; it felt as if we would lose that horse forever.” This adventure required not only physical endurance but mental fortitude and unwavering faith.
Years of meticulous preparation fueled the journey, which garnered a substantial following on social media platforms with over 345,000 Instagram followers and more than 250,000 on TikTok. Their touching posts – featuring candid moments of cooking, setting up camps, connecting with locals, and navigating bureaucracy – captivated audiences and accrued hundreds of thousands of views.
The project, effectively a modern revival of an age-old custom, showcased the contrast between their historical endeavor and the rapidly evolving world of digital connectivity. The pilgrims' determination illuminated the path of faith as they sought to balance their spiritual quest with the realities of today's digital age.
