French traveler Mohamed Boulabiar spent eight months on a journey on foot to perform the Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
His 8,000-kilometer journey started from Paris and he trekked through 13 countries to reach the city of Madinah. He will then proceed to the holy city of Makkah to perform the Umrah.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) met Boulabiar in the courtyards of the Prophet's Mosque on Tuesday, mere hours after completing his journey through various terrains and enduring numerous weather conditions. Despite the difficulties and dangers, he was undeterred from his goal of reaching the holy sites on foot.
Boulabiar, born in France to a Tunisian father and a Moroccan mother, remarked: "I did not encounter any problems on the road, but the biggest challenge was the weather. I departed in the summer and arrived in the spring, passing through autumn and winter, enduring storms and thunder. At one stage, a snowstorm at the Greek border delayed my trip by a week."
"I walked in temperatures of around 40°C, but thankfully, everything went smoothly. I am overjoyed to be here," he added.
He revealed that this was his first visit to the Gulf, adding that he has received a warm welcome. "People stopped me on the road to offer food and drink. I am immensely grateful to be here and to have completed the journey."
Boulabiar explained that he started preparing for his journey both physically and mentally two years ago. He kicked it off on August 27, starting from the Eiffel Tower.
His trek took him through France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Türkiye, and Jordan, before finally reaching Saudi Arabia.
He relied on a map and essential provisions, slept in a tent and occasionally spent nights in mosques. Benevolent strangers would also sometimes learn of his journey and invite him to spend the night.
"This has been a childhood dream. I yearned to arrive in Makkah on foot, emulating the Prophet, peace be upon him, and his companions," he added.
