Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Adam Muhammad, an Iraqi pilgrim, arrived in Makkah on foot, crossing 11 countries and taking nearly 11 months of walking to reach Islam’s holiest place.

This was a lifetime dream coupled with a real dream for Adam that came true when he accomplished what many thought an impossible feat. “Hajj is my most sublime and dearest wish,” he said after reaching Makkah, performing Umrah and spending a lot of time in the vicinity of the Holy Kaaba.

Adam, who has been residing in Britain for about 25 years, had a dream to undertake a spiritual journey to Makkah to perform the obligatory ritual of Hajj. But a real dream was the immediate provocation for him to set off for the lifetime spiritual journey, walking on foot.

“Ever since the clampdown of curfew following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, I occupied myself with reading and understanding the meaning of the Holy Qur’an. And after a year and a half of deep study of the Holy Scripture, I woke up one day from sleep with an intuition that was telling me to go on foot to Makkah,” he said.

Adam had set off from Britain on Aug. 1, 2021, heading to Makkah to perform Hajj, carrying with him a three-wheel trolley to carry his personal belongings.

The 52-year-old pilgrim said that his preparations for the pilgrimage took only two months, and a British organization extended a helping hand to him. Referring to the arduous journey, Adam said that he did not face any major hurdles on his road to Makkah.

“There were no big difficulties except brief detention by the police authorities in several countries to inquire about my whereabouts but they were surprised when they came to know about my unique mission.

“ Many people helped me on the way during my journey, but I never asked for help from anyone,” he said while emphasizing that what he is doing is for the sake of God and not for the sake of scripting any records.

A video clip showed the joy and gratification that overwhelmed the Iraqi pilgrim upon his arrival at the final destination — the Holy Capital Makkah.

A number of Makkah residents and pilgrims who were present at Ayesha Mosque in Al-Taneem expressed their joy at the arrival of Adam, who started his journey on foot from Britain 10 months and 25 days ago, passing through 11 countries.

Adam thanked the people of Saudi Arabia who have showered on him their generosity since his arrival in the Kingdom. He is now fully engaged in mental and physical preparations for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, which is due after one week.