Greater than 1.5 million folks traveled to Saudi Arabia this 12 months for Hajj. Solely three of them rode on a horse all the way in which from Spain, recreating the worship of the Andalus Muslims centuries in the past and sharing their journeys in probably the most fashionable method with main penalties on social media.
In Bosnia, they misplaced days, searching for mortgage horses that have been launched after horrifying and ultimately wandered in a minefield. In France, the horses panicked in a tunnel stuffed with mud, and one nearly drowned in entrance of a fan, foot and chest within the mun, helped to take away the animal out.
“We have been actually scared. We did not know what to do. There have been too many horses that jumped,” stated Abdoger Harcasi Aidi, one of many riders. “We thought we’d lose this horse.”
Hajj on horseback, As they called their projectIt took 4 years of preparation and a few seven months of journey over practically 4,000 miles in a few dozen international locations with generally insidious terrain. Touring in a way was a take a look at of their religion in God, humanity and the Web.
The Buzzy mission, reviving an historical custom in social media, has attracted greater than 345,000 followers to Instagram and greater than 250,000 Tiktok. Among the posts of the worshipers – exhibiting the campsite group, making dishes, a horses magician, conversations with strangers and encounter administrative and bodily obstacles that add many miles to the journey – have been watched greater than 550,000 instances.
It was not all the time clear that the group would do it, however their followers helped passengers with provides and help on the spot and with presents for help on the Web, similar to donations and upgrading their emblem.
The worshipers, the Harcasi, Abdala Rafael Hernandez Mancha and Tarek Rodriguez, are Spanish Muslims. The seed of their mission started to germinate about 35 years in the past, when G -Hernandez turned to Islam and dedicated to creating a Hajj, the annual worship in Mecca, that Islam requires all succesful Muslims to do at the very least as soon as – and do it on a horse.
About six years in the past, Harcasi and G -Hernandez met on a mission translating an historical textual content for a falcon from Arabic to Spanish. G -Hernandez revealed his lengthy -standing dream and Mr. Harksi says he instantly agreed to assist him.
For a number of years, they’ve finished lengthy coaching rides, constructing sturdiness and inspiring companionship, which translated them on an extended journey, stated Harcasi. Rodriguez joins the group later.
The trio began from southern Spain final October with about $ 1,700 every. They exhausted private sources firstly of the journey, they stated, however earlier than they left, they started to hunt donations, together with the Muslim Crudefanding site The place they raised about $ 56,000 out of greater than $ 1,100 for provides, horses, care and logistics.
Lots of them appear to be small contributions From Australia, Canada, England, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, the USA and others, assembled as they traveled and documented their maximums and low ranges on the highway.
The group additionally depends on assist from horse facilities, mosques and informal passers -by. An artist In the USA, they attracted them logo Describing their endeavor in Arab calligraphy, formed like a horse’s head. Saudi influential popped up in Italy with Cozy camper And so they strengthened their reputation. A person in Turkey stopped his automobile Give them breakfastsS
In Syria, a civil struggle devastated, which has simply ended after nearly 14 years, riders are amazed on the hospitality of the individuals who confirmed them round and the efforts which might be already underway to restoreS In Saudi Arabia, Harcasi stated the authorities deal with them as “kings”.
The worshipers have admitted that their expertise is in full distinction to that of many Muslims who don’t share their privileges, passports or on-line enchantment. Many can’t afford the journey, even a part of the price of touring the Spaniards or acquire the required permits, and those that can typically spend years by scraping the cash collectively.
Within the put up, the group stated they have been grateful for the “uncommon” journey, which led them to Mecca. “No phrases can absolutely describe the emotion to face right here, however we pray from the depths of our hearts that each Muslim will get the chance.”
Final 12 months, More than 1,300 people died Of Hajj, the larger a part of which the Saudi authorities stated there have been no permits. Many had gone for miles in burning warmth after paying hundreds of {dollars} to unlawful or fraudulent tour operators.
For the Spanish riders, the most important level got here to northern Italy, in response to H -Harcasi, after they had little or no cash, they have been chilly and the roads have been busy and troublesome.
From there they have been touring via Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria and Jordan to Saudi Arabia. They turned tense, approaching each border, they’re by no means positive what the principles for his or her uncommon type of transport could be – and so they actually needed to borrow native horses to journey via Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, re -connecting their very own rides in Turkey.
Nevertheless, stated G -n -Harkas, his favourite components typically got here instantly after the clearing of those obstacles, after they entered the nation and have been, time after time, greeted enthusiastically.
“We have now witnessed generosity past the board,” he stated, from folks with few and plenty of sources who have been moved from the journey to a horse or those that supported his religious function or each.
In Mecca final week, they got here throughout a fan of Bosnia and in an alternate caught on a digicam, instructed him about their new attachment to his nation. The person acknowledged them from the Tictoc and stated he and the “Bosnia Folks” have followed their adventureS
“We cherished you,” he stated. “And we nonetheless love you!”
Now Spanish worshipers are hoping to make a documentary about their journey.
