French Traveler Walks 8,000 km to Perform Umrah
In a remarkable feat of determination and endurance, French traveler Mohamed Boulabiar embarked on an eight-month journey through 13 countries to perform Umrah, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
After arriving in Madinah, Boulabiar shared in an interview with SPA that he had trained for two years in preparation for the 8,000-km walk.
Setting off from Paris on Aug. 27, 2023, Boulabiar traversed through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Turkiye, and Jordan before finally reaching Saudi Arabia.
Armed with only a map and a 25 kg bag containing essential provisions and a tent, Boulabiar recounted spending most nights at mosques along the route or being graciously hosted by strangers who welcomed him into their homes.
Despite the physical challenges, Boulabiar admitted that the most difficult aspect of his journey was the unpredictable weather conditions.
Departing in the summer and arriving in the spring, he endured storms, thunder, and even a snowstorm at the Greek border that delayed his trip by a week.
Reflecting on his incredible journey, Boulabiar expressed that walking to Makkah had always been a childhood dream, inspired by a desire to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet.