Spanish Muslims retrace 500-year-old pilgrimage route to Mecca on horseback

A group of Spanish Muslims following a historic Hajj route dating back five centuries has arrived in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Setting out from southern Spain three months ago, Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez aim to complete the pilgrimage on horseback, tracing the path once taken by Andalusian Muslims.

Their expedition, known as “Hajj on Horseback,” was warmly welcomed by Bosnians upon reaching Sarajevo.

Spanish Muslims revitalizing forgotten route

The team, led by Abdallah Hernandez, embarked on this extraordinary journey last autumn with the goal of reaching Mecca for the 2025 Hajj season. By following the ancient route, they seek to revive a lost tradition of pilgrimage. To prepare for the grueling expedition, the trio trained rigorously for three years in Spain and Portugal, covering hundreds of kilometers to build endurance.

Their journey, spanning diverse landscapes and extreme weather conditions, is being shared with followers on social media. They are riding specially trained Arabian horses, known for their resilience and stamina. In a statement about their mission, the team emphasized that their project not only restores a forgotten pilgrimage route but also brings back a piece of Andalusian Muslim heritage lost after the Christian Reconquista.

8,000-kilometer trek across continents

Covering a staggering 8,000 kilometers, the pilgrims began their journey in southern Spain, passing through France, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia before reaching Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Their route will now take them through Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Türkiye before reaching their final destination in Mecca.