Two South Africans pedal their way to Haj
Published: Oct 27, 2010 20:40 Updated: Dec 22, 2010 21:29
Two young South Africans have pedaled their way to Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Haj. Nathim Cairncross, 28, and Imtiyaz Ahmad Haron, 25, both from Cape Town, said on arrival at the Saudi border before reaching Tabuk that they felt happy they were fulfilling their dream of performing Haj. “Pedaling our way to the Kingdom from Cape Town was a grueling experience. We wanted to travel this way so that we are prepared to experience the rigors of performing the pilgrimage,” Cairncross, a town planner by profession, told Arab News over the telephone on Monday night.
Both set out on their journey for the annual pilgrimage on Feb. 7 on their bicycles. They pedaled through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Turkey, Syria and Jordan before reaching the Saudi border. “This is our first Haj. We could have come for Haj by plane, but it was our cherished desire to travel differently, so we chose to use our bicycles, as cycling is what we both love the most,” Cairncross said.
Both pedaled 80 to 100 km daily and took rest in mosques or tents after dusk and set out again after dawn. “People have been very cooperative and courteous. At every place that we passed through, they welcomed us and were happy to know that we were going for Haj. Food was never a problem as people took delight in offering us the choicest dishes. Of course, it was tiresome to pedal throughout the journey, especially when negotiating mountainous regions,” Cairncross added.
Language was a big problem for both of them. “Once we entered the Arab countries, we decided to pick up Arabic, especially while traveling through Syria and Jordan. This suited us well when we reached the Saudi border where the security officials were very friendly and welcomed and greeted us. They were also happy to know that we have undertaken this arduous journey to fulfill our Haj dream,” Cairncross said. “We came with a very small budget and we found to our delight there were people readily prepared to offer us the local cash and meet our needs.”
Both did not encounter any serious problem on their way through nine countries in the course of their nine-month journey. “All we did was to change tires and tubes, and fix the pedal chain from time to time.
Asked why they chose to ride bicycles, Cairncross said: “This gives us a lot of opportunity to meet and interact with different people in different countries. Additionally, we continued with our Dawa work wherever we stopped for our overnight stays.”
Both Cairncross and Haron are students of Islamic law and have studied Shariah. “I joined a university and completed a course in town planning and am working in the field of construction,” Cairncross said.
Both of them are single and love sports. While Cairncross is interested in wind surfing along beaches and seas, Haron, an economics graduate, excels in kickboxing and mountain climbing.
After the pilgrimage, both propose to return home via West Africa.
For more informations visit:
http://cape2mecca.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html
Facebook page Cape 2 Mecca Cycle 'C2MC':
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-2-Mecca-Cycle-C2MC/330709716520?v=wall
Comments
ALREHAN
Oct 28, 2010 04:37
Report abuseIMRAN
Oct 28, 2010 10:57
Report abuseMIRZA S. BAIG
Oct 28, 2010 11:00
Report abuseMORPHEUS
Oct 28, 2010 12:46
Report abusenotice their simplicty
they are not wearing Air jordans or specially designed track suits
MOHAMMED ABDUL RAUF
Oct 28, 2010 15:52
Report abuseMOHAMMED MUKRAM PASHA
Oct 28, 2010 17:05
Report abuseMARIAM
Oct 28, 2010 17:09
Report abuseIRSHAD KHAN MOHAMMED
Oct 28, 2010 17:19
Report abuseOMER HUSSEIN DUALEH
Oct 28, 2010 17:26
Report abuseMOHAMMED ABED
Oct 28, 2010 17:27
Report abuseS. I. HASHIMI
Oct 28, 2010 17:34
Report abuseRABEENA AHMED
Oct 28, 2010 23:31
Report abuseMUSTHAFA
Oct 30, 2010 15:21
Report abuseMOHAMMED ZUBAIR
Oct 30, 2010 16:27
Report abuseAMEENUDDIN AHMED
Oct 30, 2010 22:10
Report abuseSubhanAllah, May you both enjoy every moment of of your Hajj, and May Allah be totally pleased with you both.
AMIN SHAIKH
Oct 31, 2010 17:41
Report abuseRIYAZ
Oct 31, 2010 18:37
Report abuseM.N.SIDDIQUI
Nov 1, 2010 04:32
Report abuseM. A. RAHMAN
Nov 1, 2010 23:34
Report abuseMIRZA.
Nov 1, 2010 23:39
Report abuseALLAH ACCEPT THEIR HAJ..... Ameen...
URAT
Nov 3, 2010 01:42
Report abuseThough I am confused as to how they went from Kenya to Turkey? And why?
And also why West Africa, as one brother pointed out.
NABILA
Nov 5, 2010 11:57
Report abuseMake Dua for the Ummah inshaAllah.
FARNAAZ EBRAHIM - BOTSWANA
Nov 6, 2010 21:41
Report abuseNADIYAH
Nov 8, 2010 14:51
Report abuseHANEEF
Nov 8, 2010 23:43
Report abuseThey must have some wonderful stories to tell - can you imagine the emotion when they reached Al Madinah and Makkah al Mukarramah
MIRZA ALI ABBAS
Nov 10, 2010 14:26
Report abuseMy Salams to you both, Good you will not only complete you Hajj,
Also have shown another way , some youngsters may next year try to do the same.
May ALLAH (swt) accept your Hajj, and do not forget to pray on behalf of all Muslim youngsters round the world for there success in life of this world and hereafter. and pray for me too.
MOID IRFAN
Nov 10, 2010 22:24
Report abuseM
Nov 10, 2010 22:57
Report abuseTAHIR SHAFIQ BUTT
Nov 14, 2010 15:58
Report abuseDERYA
Nov 21, 2010 01:59
Report abuseFAZIAN
Nov 21, 2010 21:57
Report abuseMOGAMMED NAZEEM WILLIAMS
Nov 22, 2010 18:00
Report abuseLet this be an inspiration for others as well and an eye opener not to only depend on Modern Day Technology which can still be a downfall as well