Belgian cyclist completes epic 9-country journey to perform Hajj in Mecca

Cairo: After nearly three months of cycling thousands of kilometers, 26-year-old Belgian Anas Al Razqi has reached Saudi Arabia to fulfill his lifelong dream of performing the Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj.

Starting his journey at the beginning of Ramadan in March, Al Razqi pedaled through nine countries — including Germany, Austria, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina — facing diverse weather conditions and occasional loneliness.

“This is a dream. I didn’t believe I would be in Mecca,” Al Razqi told Saudi TV channel Al Ekhbariya after arriving at the Halat Ammar border crossing near Jordan. “I feel blessed to have arrived in the kingdom.”

Al Razqi said the sincere prayers and warm smiles of those he met along the way gave him strength.

“They kept me going,” he told Saudi news portal Sabq.

Crossing into Saudi Arabia was a surreal moment. “It’s hard to describe,” he said.

“I felt I was approaching a dream I’ve cherished for years. Now, I just want to reach the closest point to the Kaaba and see it for the first time.”