Six British Muslims with no sailing background have successfully sailed from London to Jeddah over 59 days to perform Hajj. Their spiritual journey, which began on April 1, ended on May 27 — just in time for the annual pilgrimage.

The group, aged 27 to 47, included IT workers and community leaders. Despite having no formal training, they navigated the open seas, learned sailing skills on the go, and overcame harsh weather conditions.

They passed through the English Channel, Mediterranean islands like Corsica and Sicily, and the Suez Canal before reaching the Red Sea. Their boat, a 1978 Westerly 33 ketch, carried them through storms and long days at sea.

Captain Abdul Wahid recalled the emotional moment they saw Saudi Arabia's mountains — a sign they had made it. He said the sea challenges made Hajj feel calm in comparison.

Saudi authorities welcomed the pilgrims warmly, offering water, cooling stations, and excellent support throughout. "They treat you like honored guests," Wahid shared.

Crew member Ayaz Khan called the trip a test of faith and said it reminded them that reaching spiritual goals often means crossing uncharted waters with trust and patience.


Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603861/saudi-arabia