Thursday, Dec 08, 2005

Abu Dhabi: A house painter is preparing to fulfil his dream of cycling to Makkah and performing the Haj by taking a cycling tour across the UAE.

Saeed Bin Saleh, a 41-year-old Indian from Hyderabad, began his round-the-UAE solo cycling tour from Dubai on December 1 and has so far covered more than 350km.

He has been sleeping in mosques during his tour, which has so far included a visit to Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's tomb.

"I have covered 310km on the highways and 50km inside Abu Dhabi city.

"When I have finished the entire cycling journey within the next seven to ten days, I expect to have covered about 900km."

Bin Saleh added he will leave Al Ain for Fujairah via Dhaid tomorrow.

Last year he cycled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and stayed at Shaikh Zayed's tomb for three days to pay homage.

"My cycling mission is based on two dreams: one to pay respect to the UAE and its leadership and congratulate them on the occasion of the 34th National Day.

"And the second to practise for my cycling journey to Makkah. It has been my dream to cycle all the way to the Holy Land and perform the Haj.

"By the grace of God I will be able to plan my journey for next year. I have started saving some money and looking for philanthropist sponsorships.

Saeed said the journey to Makkah would take about a month and cover about 2,400km.

TOUR DE UAE

Saeed Bin Saleh has embarked upon a cycling tour of the UAE to mark UAE National Day and also practise for a 2,850km cycling trip from Dubai to Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

December 1: He leaves Dubai at 11am and arrives at a mosque at 7.30pm on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway after covering 75km.

December 2: Leaves the mosque at 6.30am and arrives at Shaikh Zayed's tomb at the Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi to pay homage at 11.30am.

December 3 to 5: He cycles around the city while staying in the mosque

December 5: Arrives at Al Khazna at 8pm

December 6: Leaves Al Khazna at 10am and arrives in Al Ain at 4pm

He is scheduled to leave for Fujairah tomorrow and continue the journey through Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah and return to Dubai within the next seven to ten days.

Gulf News 2005. All rights reserved.