Bilal Higo, a clinical and cultural psychologist, has embarked on a remarkable journey from Germany to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, which he plans to document in an upcoming book. His journey was unique not just for its destination but also for his mode of travel—by bicycle.
The Observer caught up with Bilal in Muscat, where he had temporarily rested from cycling after achieving his goal. "I intended to cycle to Mecca and spend the last ten days of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Once I accomplished these, I decided to rest my bicycle. Being so close to Oman, a country I had heard much about, I couldn't resist visiting," he explained.
With three master's degrees and currently pursuing a PhD, Bilal has long aspired to perform the Hajj since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. "As a Muslim, performing the Hajj is an obligation. For me, it was more than just participating in rituals; it was a process of mental, physical, and spiritual preparation. It took time to prepare myself, and the more I understood it, the more I wanted it to be a journey of personal and professional growth. Cycling had become part of my life in Germany, offering a unique perspective on my environment, and it seemed the right time to embark on this journey," Bilal reflected.
Initially, not everyone understood Bilal's objectives. However, his journey covered 5,600 kilometres and passed through 16 countries, including Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus, Jordan, and Palestine, before reaching Saudi Arabia. He attempted to follow the ancient routes used by ancestors travelling by camel to Mecca.
Bilal aimed to visit three significant mosques: Al-Aqsa, Medina, and Mecca. "Whenever I travel, I seek out mosques," he noted. This passion has led him to pray in over 800 mosques. "I wanted to end my cycling journey in Mecca. Now, my bicycle will serve as a decoration."
Regarding his mosque visits, Bilal stated that his first instinct upon arriving in a new country was to find the nearest mosque. "It became a habit to connect to Wi-Fi at airports to locate mosques. I started counting my mosque visits three to four years ago, especially after the Hajj was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. I initiated a 'hundred mosques challenge' in Turkey," he shared.
While in Muscat, Bilal chose accommodation in Ghubrah to be close to the Sultan Qaboo Grand Mosque. "I had heard positive things about Oman from newspapers and television. During my master's in 'Intercultural Communication' in 2019, colleagues spoke highly of Oman as a simple, peaceful, and humble society. Once I reached Saudi Arabia, I knew I had to visit Oman," he explained.
For Bilal, mosques are not just places of worship but starting points to connect with people and explore the local culture. "In mosques, I meet trustworthy people, connect with locals and learn about the culture and history. At the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, I met Egyptians who took me on a short tour of Muscat, which included sightseeing and enjoying a cup of karak tea."
Historically, mosques have accommodated travellers, especially those on spiritual journeys. "This journey taught me valuable lessons. In Western countries, individualism prevails, but in small towns and villages, I experienced remarkable hospitality. I learned to trust the journey and go with the flow. Most of the time, kind people accommodated me, and I never had to stay in a hotel in Germany. In Austria, people even offered me money, which I declined, as their generosity was a way of supporting the journey."
Bilal’s journey spanned four months, with three months spent cycling and one month at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. "I visit Al-Aqsa Mosque every year for Ramadan. This year was unique as I arrived by bicycle. The last ten days of Ramadan are the most important, and I even slept at the mosque," Bilal said.
Now back in Germany, Bilal continues practising psychology, enriched by his journey of spirituality and humanity.
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