Ayad El Mouftahi, a 28-year-old Moroccan, has successfully completed a bicycle journey from Morocco to Mecca.
El Mouftahi embarked on his journey in August 2022 from his hometown of El Jadida. He cycled through several African countries, including Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia, and Egypt.
“Since childhood, I have dreamed of going on this pilgrimage,” El Mouftahi told MAP in front of Mount Arafat. “After traveling by bicycle through many countries, I chose to fulfill this dream in the manner of our ancestors who undertook the Hajj on the backs of camels.”
Upon reaching Mecca during Ramadan, El Mouftahi wore the traditional Ihram attire and finally saw the Kaaba.
El Mouftahi described the 350-kilometer stretch between Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville, where he navigated through dense jungle on an unpaved road.
The adventurer attributed his perseverance to his passion for adventure and the support he received from the people he met along the way.
Through his journey, El Mouftahi endeavors to demonstrate the strong connection Moroccans have with the holy sites of Islam and to showcase the generosity and kindness of Muslims he encountered in various countries.
He also expressed pride in representing the Moroccan flag and promoting his country’s rich culture during his travels.
“We are often comfortable staying within our familiar surroundings, but to grow, we must step out of this zone and dare to take on new adventures without fear,” he shared on social media. “By doing so, we can transform our lives for the better in every way.”
El Mouftahi plans to continue his journey to Al-Quds Asharif and then Europe, passing through Hungary, France, and Spain before returning to Morocco.
By the end of his journey, he will have traveled 50,000 kilometers across 22 countries and three continents.