DOHA: A French traveller, Mohamed Boulabiar, has travelled over 8,000 kilometers through 13 countries to reach Saudi Arabia and perform Umrah pilgrimage in a remarkable display of faith and determination.
After traversing diverse landscapes and enduring the challenges of weather and terrain, Boulabiar arrived in Madinah on May 14, 2024, marking the culmination of an extraordinary eight-month journey, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Reflecting on his remarkable feat, Boulabiar recounted his journey in an interview with SPA, noting that while he encountered no major problems along the way, the ever-changing weather posed a significant challenge. Departing from France in the midst of summer, Boulabiar traversed through seasons, experiencing spring, autumn, and winter in various parts of the world. His progress was temporarily impeded by a week-long delay caused by a snowstorm at the Greek border.
Despite the hurdles, Boulabiar expressed profound joy at reaching Madinah, describing it as a dream come true. For the French national, this marked his first visit to the Gulf region, adding a layer of significance to his pilgrimage experience.
Throughout his journey, Boulabiar diligently documented his travels on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, sharing insights and reflections with his followers. Providing a glimpse into his journey, he revealed, “I traversed over 8,000 kilometers during the journey, crossing 12 countries before arriving in Saudi Arabia, the 13th country in my journey.”
His pilgrimage commenced in Paris in the last week of August, following a year of meticulous physical and mental preparation. With unwavering determination and steadfast faith, Boulabiar embarked on a transformative journey, navigating through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan before reaching his ultimate destination in Saudi Arabia.
