MINA: A group of six pilgrims with no previous sailing experience who set off from London on a 59-day maritime adventure have praised Saudi authorities for the welcome they received after finally completing their Hajj voyage.
The UK-based group, aged between 27 and 47, set sail on April 1 and arrived in Jeddah on May 27, just one week before the start of Hajj.
Each member brought a unique set of skills, from IT professionals to community organizers, but none had formal maritime training. Together, they learned to navigate, maintain their vessel, and endure weeks at sea, often facing unpredictable weather and challenging conditions.
The six pilgrims — Abdul Wahid, Tauseef Ahmed, Jody McIntyre, Dobbir Uddin, Taher Akhtar, and Ayaz Khan — made several stops across Europe and North Africa during their journey, sharing the highs and lows of life at sea with a growing community of followers on social media.
Speaking to Arab News at Mina during Hajj, Wahid, the captain, said that the voyage had been a memorable and life-changing experience.
