Epic Pilgrimage: Spanish Converts Ride Over 6,000 km on Horseback to Reach Mecca After Eight-Month Journey

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Tears, prayers, and unwavering faith mark the arrival of five Muslim pilgrims—including three Spanish reverts—who retraced the path of their Andalusian ancestors on an extraordinary spiritual odyssey to the Holy Kaaba.

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Algiers, Algeria | June 5th, 2025 — In a moment that stirred hearts across the Muslim world, a group of five devout pilgrims—three Spanish converts to Islam, a Moroccan, and a Mauritanian—have finally reached Mecca, completing an awe-inspiring eight-month journey on horseback that spanned over 6,000 kilometers across three continents. Their arrival was nothing short of emotional and historic, as they set foot in the holy city clad in white ihram garments, overwhelmed by the sight of the Kaaba, weeping and embracing each other in jubilation and gratitude.

Their epic journey, which began in Spain, was inspired by the footsteps of their Andalusian ancestors, who once traversed Europe and the Mediterranean to perform the Hajj. Rejecting modern comforts, the group opted for a spiritual and physical test of faith, choosing horseback travel over planes or cars to revive a forgotten tradition of pilgrimage marked by sacrifice, endurance, and divine reliance.

The pilgrims braved severe weather conditions, treacherous terrain, and the loss of their horses, yet never lost heart. Their perseverance was sustained by strong faith, brotherhood, and the kindness of strangers, as they received warm receptions in numerous countries along the way. Their route took them through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and Egypt, before reaching Saudi Arabia.

Social media platforms were flooded with footage capturing their journey and chanting of the Talbiyah—“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk”—on horseback, a scene that moved millions online. In one widely shared video, the group is seen riding their saddled Arabian horses while reciting prayers with solemnity and spiritual joy.

The pilgrimage was led by Abdullah, one of the Spanish converts who embraced Islam and spearheaded the idea of reviving the Andalusian pilgrimage tradition. “I didn’t want to go by plane or car. I wanted to do the Hajj as my Andalusian forefathers did,” he declared, explaining his motivation for the arduous expedition.

Their journey caught the attention of prominent Saudi content creator Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, who documented part of their travel and warned early on of the many obstacles they would face, including freezing temperatures and logistical hardship. Yet the pilgrims remained resolute, responding with unshakable conviction: “Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him.”

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Among the many challenges, the lack of secure accommodation was a persistent worry. However, this concern was alleviated by a generous Saudi gift: a caravan, allowing the pilgrims to rest safely each night as they pressed forward through deserts and mountains toward the Sacred House.

In the final moments of their arrival, as they gazed upon the Kaaba, the group was visibly overcome. Tears of exhaustion mingled with tears of triumph and spiritual ecstasy—a scene that underscored the depth of their faith and the magnitude of their sacrifice. Their feat stands as a modern-day testament to steadfast belief, historical consciousness, and the unifying power of Islam.

Their journey, now immortalized in images and videos across the world, is being hailed as a glorious revival of Islamic heritage and a powerful message of faith, showing that the path to Mecca, no matter how long or difficult, remains open to those who walk it with sincerity and devotion.

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