Nine British Muslims have cycled 3,000 km from London to Madinah in 6 weeks to perform Hajj and fundraise for Syria

The season of Hajj is almost upon us and each year we get to hear from truly remarkable and inspiring stories of Muslims going the extra mile for this auspicious journey.

From London to Madinah, not by air as we all do, but by two wheels – bicycles.

Hajj Riders, a group of nine British pilgrims ethnically Pakistani and Bangladeshi, cycled for 6 long weeks over a distance of 3,000 km covering lands such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Greece and Egypt to complete their one-of-a-kind journey to the masjid of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Masjid an-Nabwi.

As they entered Saudi Arabia, their awareness and popularity had reached the land already.

Two local cycling groups by the name of Taybah Cyclists and Saudi Cyclists, who themselves encourage biking and other sports activities in the Kingdom, assisted the Hajj Riders to go through the tough desert lands as mentioned by one of the riders as he showed live on the Hajj Ride Facebook page.

Read Also: In 2016: Cycle of life: Chinese Muslim cycles 7,800 km in 4 months to perform Hajj

The scenes were heartwarming as people inside the Madinah and at Masjid an-Nabwi were astonished by what the riders have achieved.

The riders themselves were at awe and kept praising Allah as they tried to catch their breath.

They also prayed Salah as they entered the masjid. After Madinah, they will now be heading to Makkah to perform the Hajj rituals with the other 2 million pilgrims.

Read Also: In 2016: 24-year-old Russian Muslim cycled 6,600 km to perform Hajj

Alongside performing the Hajj, they used their trip as an opportunity to do Dawah to the people of the lands they passed through. They wanted to, as mentioned by the riders from the beginning and throughout their trip, spread the true message of Islam as being a religion of love, tolerance and happiness.

Moreover, another key purpose of their journey was to do charity. They hope to aspire their followers to help them to raise £1 million from their journey to help the Syrian refugees through the renowned charity Human Aid UK. The group’s website put the statement:

“The ‘Hajj Ride’ is the first ever cycle ride for charity set up with the end goal being the performance of the most challenging physical worship in the five pillars of Islam, the hajj pilgrimage.”

It is hoped with the donation money, the charity group will use it towards emergency services insdie Syria refugee camps including medical aid. Here are some of the highlights from their trip that they shared on their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/HajjRide/photos/a.1452176158155391.1073741828.1369129083126766/1582975391742133/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/HajjRide/photos/a.1452176158155391.1073741828.1369129083126766/1571668879539451/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/HajjRide/photos/a.1452176158155391.1073741828.1369129083126766/1552871724752500/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/HajjRide/photos/a.1452176158155391.1073741828.1369129083126766/1559149240791415/?type=3&theater

The funds raised during Hajj Ride will be used to replenish these ambulances and give them the equipment they need. Abdul Wahid, the founder of Hajj Ride conceptualised the project when he converted to Islam 11 years ago.

“People say you have to change everything about you when you become Muslim. I had a lot of time to think about how I can merge my lives. I thought I love cycling and I want to go to Hajj, so why don’t we go back to the old way of journeying?” Wahid told Al Arabiya just before their journey began from London.

May Allah accept their unique hajj in today’s times and reward them abundantly for their intention of helping the needy Muslims of the Ummah.