Via christianity to islam


Categorie: nieuws engels
A die-hard globetrotter

Via Christianity to Islam                    

Noordhollands Dagblad/Dagblad Zaanstreek 9 september 2009 by Ed Blaauw Oostzaan

Being a die-hard globetrotter, he cycles through desolate places, ranging from the exotic to the most ghastly of climates. This man from the Dutch town of Oostzaan biked virtually all established cycling tours. Piet Krol (67) is a true bike fanatic.

Yet the daunting tour de force from Christianty to Islam –from Rome to Mecca - makes even this veteran think of himself a cycling novice.

However, when the organization of Rome to Mecca asked him to participate this march. He immediately became enthusiastic. “Particularly because of the participants already enrolled.”

In Rome on the 22nd of September, a most remarkable journey will commence in an attempt to bridge religions. Via Italy, through Greece, Turkey, Syria and Jordan, the participants plan to reach their goal in Saoudi-Arabia by the end of October this year.

The event is organized by the different Rotary Clubs in the Netherlands, Turkey, Germany and Jordan. In the spirit of Rotary International, the event has a charitable cause, to raise funds for children in the Middle East victim to war and conflict.

Our tour-cyclist from Oostzaan is looking forward to the ordeal. “ You know, cycling broadens mind and spirit.”

Yet before strapping on the helmets and cycling-shoes. Pope Benedictus will receive the man and woman of this fellowship.

“ How this will work-out I don’t know. Others have arranged this. Perhaps he will bless our journey. Perhaps we can exchange a few words.”

For Mr. Krol the distance of 3700 kilometres is not an issue. The group of 25 holds cyclist whom will drive the whole distance and some whom will only participate in certain stages.

“Everybody is free to cycle what he or she want. But I do would like to cycle the whole distance. I am prepared and have the time to do so.” Says the former director of a stockbroker firm from Amsterdam.

“I have sold my business a while ago. Yet during the hours when the stock exchange had closed, I already loved to race my bike on the tracks at Sloten.

Cycling has been passion for Mr. Kroll from the very start. China, the US, Ecuador, Cambodja, Lhasa, Katmandu, Iran, Pakistan, Kirigstan, Russia, you name it, and he drove his bike across highways -narrow roads and through tiny villages.

“The bike is like a virus, it does not let go of you. Biking and travelling is the ideal combination. There have been so many journeys these last few years. Like Houston – Los Angeles in America, or Paris – Brest.” Journeys Mr. Kroll could fulfil at his own leisure.

Yet Mecca he will never see nor enter. “ That is a pity of course. But I am not a Muslim you see, so I am not allowed in. I can of course lie and say I recently converted to the faith. But that is not the intention of this journey” Saoudi-Arabia can also be a difficult country in these matters. No, we will circumvent the city and go straight to Jedda on the Red Sea.

Not only does a visit to the pope await the participants. Prince Hassan of Jordan will also receive the fellowship.

“The prince expends a lot of energy in establishing a dialogue between the world religions. He is very enthusiastic about the cycling tour” says Catrien Eggens, secretary of the foundation Rotary Cycle Tour Rome Mekka.

Mr. Kroll again; “really, cycling opens the mind. My previous travels have interest me for many different cultures. My experiences as a biker and a traveller have taught me how my home and my country are certainly not the centre of this world.”