Pilgrims on horseback from Spain reach Istanbul after 3.5-month journey

Three pilgrims, Abdallah Hernandez, Abdelkader Harkassi, and Tariq Rodriguez, have arrived in Istanbul after a remarkable 3.5-month horseback journey from Spain, aiming to fulfill their Hajj pilgrimage. Their journey traces the footsteps of the Andalusian Muslims’ centuries-old tradition of traveling to perform the Hajj on horseback.

The three friends began their journey from southern Spain approximately 3.5 months ago with the goal of revitalizing the tradition of the Andalusian Muslims, who embarked on similar pilgrimages centuries ago. They are currently traveling an 8,000-kilometer route, crossing through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Türkiye. Their ultimate destination is Saudi Arabia, where they plan to perform the Hajj through Syria.

During their stop in Istanbul, the pilgrims were hosted by Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (IZU), where they participated in an event at the university’s Halkalı campus, meeting with students and supporters. The pilgrims received a warm welcome from the students and posed for memorable photos with them.

Istanbul, an important stop for pilgrims

Prof. Dr. Huseyin Husnu Koyunoglu, a faculty member from the Department of Islamic History and Arts at IZU’s Faculty of Islamic Sciences, spoke at the event, emphasizing Istanbul’s significance as a key stop for Muslim pilgrims over the centuries. He explained that for many years, Muslims traveling from Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia passed through Istanbul on their way to perform Hajj.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar, the Rector of IZU, expressed his pleasure in hosting the pilgrims, calling the Hajj journey “an exciting and historically significant act.” He also expressed hope that the journey would contribute to the revival of Islamic civilization in Spain.

A spiritual journey of reflection

Hernandez, one of the pilgrims, thanked IZU for their hospitality and shared his joy at reaching Istanbul after traveling almost 4,000 kilometers. He recounted his journey to Islam, which began at the age of 24 when he discovered Islam while studying geography.

He was captivated by the Quran and the Bible, and during an exam, he promised himself that if he passed, he would convert to Islam. Upon passing the exam, Hernandez fulfilled his promise, embraced Islam, and decided to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors by performing Hajj on horseback.

He explained that his companions, Harkassi and Rodriguez, joined him on this spiritual journey. They were also joined by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction worker from Spain, who provided logistical support by traveling ahead of the group in a car.

Hernandez reflected on the numerous “miracles” they experienced during the journey and how they came to realize that their pilgrimage was not just a physical journey, but also a spiritual and missionary one.

Reviving a lost tradition

Harkassi, another member of the group, expressed his happiness at helping revive a lost tradition. He shared that they had saved money and trained for years in preparation for the journey. Despite the difficulties, the journey has been filled with adventures, including humorous moments. Harkassi emphasized the support they received from Allah and how they set out on this pilgrimage with pure intentions.

“We are only halfway through our journey, and we hope the road ahead becomes easier,” Harkassi added.

The pilgrims also expressed their desire to spend the month of Ramadan in Istanbul, visiting important religious and historical sites such as the Sultanahmet Mosque and Hagia Sophia, as part of their spiritual journey.

This inspiring pilgrimage not only revives an ancient tradition but also highlights the enduring spiritual bonds among Muslims from around the world, as they follow in the footsteps of their ancestors on their path to fulfill one of Islam’s most sacred duties.