12 S'poreans ride 7,000km on motorcycles over 22 days to Madinah to perform pilgrimage

A group of 12 Singaporeans rode motorcycles for 22 days over 7,000km from Karachi, Pakistan to Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

They embarked on the ambitious journey to perform Umrah, a voluntary pilgrimage undertaken by Muslims to Mecca, which can be performed at any time of the year.

The expedition, christened "Ride to Al-Haram", was undertaken by 11 men and one woman, aged 33 to 71.

A total of 11 motorcycles were utilised, as the woman in the group was riding pillion.

First mooted in 2019

The expedition was the vision of Noor Iibrahim Abdillah, 48, an experienced rider who has traversed three continents.

The idea took shape in 2019 after a friend asked about riding to Saudi Arabia.

But the plans were stalled due to Covid-19, and subsequently, by Myanmar’s border closure.

In late 2023, determined to proceed, Iibrahim opted to ship the bikes to Karachi, Pakistan to start the journey from there.

For 36-year-old rider Muhammad Dzulqarnain Aripin, who is a graduate of the Islamic University of Madinah, the trip held deep significance.

“Madinah was my second home as a student, so I wanted to return ‘home’ on my bike,” he shared.

He played a crucial role during the trip by bridging the gap helping with communication and cultural interactions.

A route less travelled

The 35-day journey began on Dec. 19, with the team flying from Singapore to Karachi before embarking on the ride of their lifetimes.

Rather than taking a direct route, Iibrahim designed a journey that will take the entourage through Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq, seeking adventure in lesser-travelled regions.

The team rode through the rugged mountains of Balochistan, the historic cities of Esfahan and Shiraz, and even ventured into Babylon and Baghdad before reaching Saudi Arabia.

After performing Umrah in Makkah, the group continued their journey through Jordan, with the expedition concluding in Egypt.

The cost was less than S$10,000 per person.

Overcoming obstacles

The journey was not without challenges.

Securing visas proved difficult during the planning phase.

Subsequently, while on the road, bike breakdowns and freezing temperatures of -1°C to -2°C tested the group's resilience.

One of the toughest moments came at a border crossing that took an entire day to clear.

Frustrations ran high, but team spirit and encouragement kept them going.

Daily briefings from Iibrahim helped set expectations and maintain morale, with coffee stops providing much-needed breaks.

Family concerns were another challenge.

For Dzulqarnain, this was his longest journey on a motorbike, and convincing his hesitant parents took effort, reassuring them that everything would be okay.

A journey to remember

Despite cultural and language barriers, the group forged a strong bond, united by their shared goal.

The spirit of “leave no man behind” guided them throughout, the group said.

This journey was more than just reaching Madinah — it was a test of perseverance, brotherhood, and faith.

Arriving at their spiritual destination after such a grueling ride made the experience even more meaningful.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, the group is planning on another adventure, but likely via a simpler route.

“My advice is to always be ready for challenges, keep our heads up, ride, and most importantly, stay happy!” said Dzulqarnain.

All photos via Noor Iibrahim Abdillah