As millions of pilgrims arrive in Makkah for Hajj, a small group of riders have completed one of the most extraordinary journeys of the year: retracing a route taken by Andalusian Muslims to the Holy City more than 500 years ago by travelling from southern Spain to Saudi Arabia on horseback.
Abdelkader Harkassi Aidi, Tarek Rodriguez and Abdallah Rafael Hernandez Mancha undertook a 6,500km journey over nearly seven months, beginning in October and ending in the days before Hajj 2025. They were initially joined by Mohamed Mesbahi, but he had to end his ride after a vet advised the group to retire two horses.
The team documented their adventures via Instagram along the way. “It's been a dream that's become reality,” Harkassi Aidi, one of the organisers, tells The National from Saudi Arabia after completing the long journey.
The inspiration came from Harkassi Aidi’s friend Hernandez Mancha, a Spanish teacher who, 36 years ago, made a promise before taking a critical state exam. “He wrote in a notebook that if he passed this exam that was so important for him, so that he could get a job and help his family, he would become a Muslim and go to Hajj on horseback. It was the tradition of the old Andalusians, who he realised were his ancestors.”
Hernandez Mancha passed the exam with high marks, kept his word, embraced Islam and eventually, after retiring as a history and geography teacher, fulfilled the second part of his promise.
Journey begins with a single trot
The journey formally began at an old Andalusian mosque in the village of Almonaster la Real in southern Spain. “We were also given a very warm send-off from the Spanish Muslim community in Seville and Huelva,” says Harkassi Aidi, who is half-Spanish, half-Moroccan.
The riders trained for four years with Arabian horses of Khuzestani bloodlines, known for their endurance. “They're very resistant horses, very austere, very strong,” Harkassi Aidi explains.
But the journey was far from straightforward. “We didn't have much money. We all put in €1,500 [$1,705] each to start the journey and by the time we had reached the north of Spain we had run out of money,” recalls Harkassi Aidi.
It made the trek incredibly challenging. They camped every night, cooking for themselves and covering an average of 40km per day.
In France and Italy, they relied on equestrian centres. “Everything there is asphalted, which is worse for the horses because it’s harder on the joints,” says Harkassi Aidi. In Verona, a Saudi Snapchat influencer, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, donated a caravan. “He came at the precise time that we were approaching Slovenia and the very cold winds of Croatia in the winter.”
While they were all on horseback, a support car carried the group's supplies. “The horses didn’t have to carry anything but ourselves and maybe a bottle of water,” Harkassi Aidi explains.
As they crossed Slovenia and Croatia, the scenery became repetitive. “We had rock mountains on the left and the sea on the right and knew we were going to be looking at the same thing for a week or so,” says Harkassi Aidi.
Celebrations in every city
Despite not being able to cross into the country on their own horses, Bosnia and Herzegovina marked a turning point. “Bosnia was the first Muslim country that we crossed,” Harkassi Aidi says. “There was a big celebration in the cities that we passed through, especially Mostar and Sarajevo.” Local religious officials greeted them in Sarajevo and they rode through snow-covered mountains between the two cities. The riders borrowed Bosnian horses to ride through the country and into Serbia.
Crossing into Serbia also came with unexpected joy for the group. “It was a big surprise to find this strong and lively Muslim community,” Harkassi Aidi says.
The group also had “a wonderful time” in Novi Pazar, a multi-ethnic city in south-west Serbia. Located on the borders of Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia, it is the capital of the Sanjak region.
From there, they passed through Bulgaria and into Turkey, where they were reunited with their own horses. That was “the beginning of the big celebration because it reminded us of the old Hajj caravans that used to gather in Istanbul”, Harkassi Aidi says. “We were received very warmly by the authorities, people and government ministers.”
Their first day riding in Turkey coincided with the start of Ramadan. The group fasted during the day, but ate every evening with a local community.
Though initially hesitant about entering Syria, they were assured safe passage. “We trusted them,” Harkassi Aidi says of the authorities they encountered. “Everything was raw. We saw a lot of destruction and heard a lot of stories.” Yet they were welcomed everywhere. “The first celebration was when the Assad regime fell and the second was when we came through the country,” Harkassi Aidi says.
From Damascus, they continued south, praying at the Umayyad Mosque as they passed through. Then continued to Jerusalem and Jordan, which was a brief but warm stop, before they crossed the border into the Saudi desert.
A new kind of adventure
Saudi Arabia presented new logistical challenges. “The government is not in favour of people coming to the Hajj this way,” Harkassi Aidi says. “They asked us to leave our horses in one of the cities in Riyadh and to come to Madinah.”
Despite having to end their ride, they were treated hospitably. “They actually paid for our flights and received us in Madinah with flowers and a five-star hotel,” Harkassi Aidi adds.
The group continued their journey, spending the last few weeks travelling around Saudi Arabia and meeting people along the way. They have been met by the Emir of Madinah, a close relative of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Now in Makkah, the trio are preparing for Hajj, while reflecting on what they’ve achieved. “We feel very privileged and chosen by Allah to have done this,” Harkassi Aidi says. “It’s an impossible journey and it’s only been possible with Allah’s help.”
Their role as ambassadors has been one of their proudest achievements. “We’ve represented the Spanish Muslim community across the world,” Harkassi Aidi says. “It’s been a great achievement for Spain as a whole.”
The journey has also been a milestone for the equestrian world. “Horsemen and horsewomen would know how fragile horses are,” Harkassi Aidi says. “To do more than 6,500 kilometres in six or seven months is a miracle.”
The journey is ending with mixed emotions. They will return to Spain by plane, leaving the horses behind. “I think this is the sad part of the story,” says Harkassi Aidi. “They deserve the best.”
Plans are in place to preserve the bloodlines of the animals that carried them to the holy land.
Harkassi Aidi says he learnt many lessons throughout this journey. The biggest is steeped in his faith. “If you have a clear intention, you have to commit to it, have patience when things are very difficult and be grateful when things are easy. With good, clear and fair intentions, and trusting in Allah, anything is possible.”
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Asia Cup Qualifier
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6: Final
Asia Cup
Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Schedule: Sep 15-28
Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The First Monday in May
Director: Andrew Rossi
Starring: Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, John Paul Gaultier, Rihanna
Three stars
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
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Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
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