Arab cyclist seeks UN passport to overcome visa hurdles

An Arab cyclist touring the world with a message of peace is seeking a United Nations passport to push ahead with his pilgrimage that has hit snags because of visa problems.

Ahmed Mofleh Ayasra, a 65-year-old Jordanian with 35 grandchildren, said the UN mission in the UAE had asked him for some documents about his round-the-world journey that has so far taken him to more than 12 countries.

"The UN Representative in Abu Dhabi has asked me to bring some papers and documents so he will try and get me an international passport approved by the UN. This passport will enable me to cross many borders and continue my trip without any problems," he said.

"I sought UN's help because I am facing visa problems. Some countries are delaying their decision to grant me a visa while others have turned down my request for no reason."

Ayasra began his trip from Amman nearly five years ago and has visited all Gulf countries, in addition to Yemen, Malaysia, Somalia, the Maldives and other countries.

His next destination is Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia and Morocco before he sets out towards Europe, the United States, Canada, and South America.

His itinerary to Egypt includes crossing into Saudi Arabia then to the Jordanian port of Aqaba, from where he will pedal to Nuwaibi port in Egypt. He will then proceed to Cairo and other Egyptian cities before he cycles his way southwards into the neighbouring Sudan.

Ayasra's trip to Tunisia and Morocco has already hit snags. While he is still awaiting word from the Tunisian embassy on his visa application, he is pondering how he will reach the North African country after he was denied entry by Libya and Algeria.

"Probably I will go to Egypt, from where I will sail to Tunisia and Morocco. It is almost impossible to go by land because I have to cross into several African countries. This means I have to wait for months or even years," he said.

Ayasra, who has four sons and four daughters, said he was also still awaiting a reply from Iraq and Iran to visit them and deliver his message of peace to their leaders. He also plans to go to occupied Palestine to "hoist the Palestinian flag."

Ayasra, who has lived in the UAE over the past 20 years, said he has decided to turn the emirates into a 'springboard' for his mission around the globe. "This is because it is a mission of peace and the UAE is a land of peace and security."

Dubbed the conqueror of Hafit mountains in Al Ain after he pedaled his way to its top four years ago, Ayasra embarked on a similar adventure on the mountain last week to mark the 36th anniversary of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's accession as the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

He set out from Abu Dhabi flanked by police cars carrying portraits of Sheikh Zayed and performed the 12-kilometre climb just after midnight last week.

"I began five years ago and the older I get, the more determined I become to finish this glorious assignment. I want to go to all the countries and I will stop only when I die."

But Ayasra's resolution has obviously failed to eliminate his feeling of loneliness as he already has started thinking of seeking company on his trips.

"Why not?" he retorted when asked if he will accept a second wife who is willing to join him in his cycling adventure.

"Any woman who thinks she can come along with me and live the sort of life I am living is welcome to be my wife."