By: Katy Gillett | June 4, 2025 | Thenationalnews.com
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.
