Heading for Mecca


Categorie: nieuws engels
Heading for Mecca by bicycle

NHD/Alkmaarsche Courant, 17 september 2009   

by  laura heerlien 



HEILOO –

 

The bicycle is lubricated, the muscles supple, all preparations completed. Jan Keesen from Heiloo is ready for the bicycle ride Rome- Mecca, which will start next week. 

Religious considerations? No, not the primary targets for Keesen. ,,I feel more for Darwin. The ride is not meant for a religious purpose. However, we will begin the ride with an audience visit to the pope. Which is quite interesting”.

From the catholic pilgrim city Rome, the bikers (eighteen men and two women) will head for the Middle East
, via a.o. Syria and Jordan, with the Islamic place of pilgrimage Mecca as final destination.

 “I find it off course important to bring Islam and Christianity closer to each other. That is a very actual issue. Also the foundation which will be served by this ride, the education of orphans in the Middle East and Afghanistan is excellent. But first of all I like cycling and the area we will pass. This area is finally the cradle of our civilization.

Before retirement I made for KLM many flights to the Middle-East. During the layovers I took a bicycle to explore the surroundings.

Maybe you think: just sand, rocks and desert. But especially the coastline is sometimes beautiful and green”

Rotary International is organizing the bicycle ride. Also Rotarians from Turkye and Jordan will join to bike to Mecca.

Keesen shows the schedule. ,,Within six weeks 3700 kilometer must be travelled by bicycle. Sometimes long legs, around 160 kilometer a day.

Until now it is still unclear if we can cycle through Saudi Arabia. We will receive the permission most probably when we are already on our way.

,,Two women will participate too and their entry is even more uncertain.

 We take arm and legs covers with us to cover the body parts if needed.

At the audience visit in Rome, the pope will supply a friendship letter for the mufti of Mecca. We are not allowed to enter the city, but that will be done by the fellow riders from Turkey and Jordan”.