Riders complete 6,500-kilometre journey from Spain to Makkah on horseback
Three riders retrace a historic Andalusian pilgrimage, traveling on horseback from Spain to Makkah ahead of Hajj
ALMONASTER LA REAL, Spain (MNTV) – As millions of pilgrims arrived in Makkah for Hajj 2025, three riders concluded an extraordinary journey, retracing a historic route Andalusian Muslims took over 500 years ago.
According to The National, Abdelkader Harkassi Aidi, Tarek Rodriguez, and Abdallah Rafael Hernandez Mancha traveled nearly 6,500 kilometres on horseback from southern Spain to the Holy City over seven months, beginning in October 2024.
The journey began at an old Andalusian mosque in Almonaster la Real, southern Spain, after a heartfelt send-off from Spain’s Muslim communities.
The riders trained for four years on resilient Arabian horses with Khuzestani bloodlines, known for their endurance.
Despite limited finances, they persevered through rough terrain and harsh weather, often camping and covering about 40 kilometres daily.
Crossing Europe, the group was warmly welcomed by vibrant Muslim communities in Bosnia and Serbia, celebrating their passage with local officials and citizens.
In Türkiye, they reunited with their own horses and experienced warm receptions, coinciding with Ramadan.
They then crossed Syria, witnessing the country’s devastation firsthand, before continuing through Jordan and entering Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities asked them to leave their horses in Riyadh, ending the horseback portion of their journey.
They were then hosted with official hospitality in Madinah and escorted to Makkah, where they prepared for Hajj.
Along the way, they met dignitaries, including the Emir of Madinah, as reported by The National.
The inspiration for the journey came from Abdallah Hernandez Mancha, a retired history teacher who 36 years ago vowed to embrace Islam and make the pilgrimage on horseback if he passed an important exam.
After fulfilling his promise and converting, he joined the ride to honor his Andalusian ancestors.
Reflecting on their adventure while speaking to The National, Harkassi Aidi described the journey as “impossible without Allah’s help” and emphasized the importance of faith, patience, and clear intention.
The riders take pride in representing the Spanish Muslim community globally and hope to preserve the bloodlines of the horses that carried them to the holy land.
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