Rabat – A 28-year-old Moroccan adventurer Ayad El Mouftahi has completed a bicycle journey from Morocco to Mecca.
Inspired by the traditional pilgrimages of his Muslim ancestors, he started his journey in August 2022 from his hometown of El Jadida.
El Mouftahi cycled through numerous African countries including Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia, and Egypt.
“Since childhood, I dreamed of performing the pilgrimage,” El Mouftahi told MAP News in front of Mount Arafat. “After traveling by bicycle through many countries, I decided 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 was overwhelmed with emotion as he donned the traditional Ihram attire and finally saw the Kaaba — a moment he described as the culmination of years of dreaming and months of grueling travel.
El Mouftahi’s journey wasn’t without its hardships. He recounted the 350-kilometer stretch between Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville, navigating through dense jungle on an unpaved road.
Despite these challenges, he credits his passion for adventure and the support from people he met along the way for helping him persevere.
Through his journey, El Mouftahi says he hopes to convey several messages. He aims to showcase the deep connection Moroccans have with the holy sites of Islam and to highlight the generosity and kindness of Muslims he encountered in various countries.
According to El Mouftahi, the experiences reflect the core values of tolerance and unity in Islam. In addition, he says he is proud to raise the Moroccan flag and promote his country’s rich culture throughout his travels.
El Mouftahi also uses his journey to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones. “We are generally accustomed to staying within our comfort zone, but to develop, we must leave this zone and dare to embark on new adventures without any fear,” he shared on social media. “By doing so, we can change our lives 360 degrees for the better.”
Looking ahead, El Mouftahi plans to continue his epic journey by biking to Al-Quds Asharif and then onto Europe, passing through Hungary, France, and Spain before returning to Morocco. By the end of his journey, he will have traveled an astonishing 50,000 kilometers across 22 countries and three continents.
