Three friends who set out from Spain to perform the Hajj pilgrimage have reached Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital Sarajevo after three months of traveling on horseback. Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez, and Tariq Rodriguez embarked on their journey from southern Spain with the goal of retracing the pilgrimage route taken by Andalusian Muslims 500 years ago. Riding on horseback, they are traveling over 8,000 kilometers, passing through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Türkiye before reaching Saudi Arabia. During their stop in Sarajevo, the pilgrims explored the historic Bascarsija district on horseback, drawing significant attention from tourists and locals. They also visited Ottoman-era landmarks and posed for photographs with those eager to learn more about their journey. The group visited the Hajji Mosque in Sarajevo, where Bosniaks traditionally stop before departing for Hajj.

They also shared their experiences on social media, documenting their travels and encounters along the way.

Harkassi described their arrival in Sarajevo as a highlight of their journey. “We’ve traveled through most of Europe and are now in Sarajevo. This is the peak of our journey, Alhamdulillah,” he said, thanking the Bosnian people for their hospitality. The group has faced logistical obstacles, notably at border crossings. Harkassi claimed that they were unable to gain permission to enter Serbia: “We couldn’t get consent for Serbia. Their administration collapsed last week, so we were unable to complete our documents.” Despite the difficulties, the travelers expressed their enthusiasm as they continued their journey, picking up new horses along the way. Their next stops will get them closer to their ultimate goal: visiting Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage.