A group of 25 Pakistani bikers has reached the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the way to Makkah to perform Umrah, the leader of the gang said on Monday, calling the motorcycle adventure a “journey of refulgence and enlightenment” undertaken to promote peace, friendship, and religious tourism.
The biker gang decided to take the trip after the Saudi government eased rules for Umrah pilgrims last year, extending the duration of visas for foreign pilgrims to three months and allowing them to use the permits to travel to cities other than just Makkah.
The group left for Saudi Arabia from Lahore on January 6 and will cover a distance of more than 14,000 kilometers to reach Islam’s holiest city. During the 60 day-long round-trip, the group will pass through Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait, and finally reach Saudi Arabia where the bikers will spend 19 days.