‘Hajj Riders’ reach Madinah after five weeks in the saddle

Eight cyclists have arrived Medina from the United Kingdom after a five-week journey in the saddle to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage. The “Hajj Riders” started from the East London Mosque in the British capital and cycled across France, Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. They reached Jeddah and after […]

Eight cyclists have arrived Medina from the United Kingdom after a five-week journey in the saddle to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage.

The “Hajj Riders” started from the East London Mosque in the British capital and cycled across France, Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

They reached Jeddah and after a day rest, their continued their journey to Madinah, where they were greeted with songs and dancing, and showered with flower petals and Zamzam water.

The cyclists left Jeddah by car and arrived 45 km outside Madinah, where they were joined by members of two Saudi cycling clubs, who rode with the pilgrims along the Hijra Highway. The ride took about two hours, with a police escort and support vehicles.

“We’ve been through rain, sunshine, sandstorms and through the Swiss Alps,” said Taher Akhtar, from Maidenhead in Berkshire, who was overwhelmed with emotion and shed a few tears as he stepped off his bicycle in Madinah.

Another cyclist, Saifullah Nasser, an imam from Northampton, said: “Going for Hajj is not difficult. I have done it before but felt that in order to appreciate the highs you have to experience the lows, and there were a few, but by the grace of Allah we have made it safely.” (arabnews)