World Bulletin / News Desk
A Chinese pilgrim has been commended for his effort to bike his way from China to perform the Hajj.
The rider reportedly left his home in Xinjiang, in northwest China, and cycled around 8,150km before arriving in the western Saudi city of Taif, where he was accorded a special welcome by the local cycling club.
Following a brief stay in the city, the Chinese rider, Mohammad, was accompanied by members of the Taif cycling club to Makkah, Saudi news site Sabq reported.
“We were the first cycling club in Saudi Arabia to welcome the Chinese rider and we look forward to other clubs reaching out to him and introducing him to their cities,” Nayef Al Rawas, the head of the Taif club said.
China has by Friday sent 37 charter flights to carry Chinese Muslims for Haj, and a total of 11,000 Chinese pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah, Xinhua News Agency said.
Haj, the annual gathering of around three million Muslims to perform the fifth pillar of Islam, will be held next month.
Sourc: GulfNews
