Muslim man walks from Austria to Iraq en route to Hajj pilgrimage

A Bosniak Muslim who is travelling from Europe to Saudi Arabia on foot for the hajj pilgrimage has reached the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, Anadolu Agency reported on Saturday.

Fifty-two-year-old Enver Beganovic, a resident of Austria for 28 years, has been on the road for approximately 160 days and is set to pass through 10 countries.

So far, the journey has brought the judo athlete through Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey.

"I did not encounter any problems during the distance of thousands of kilometres. On the contrary, I received help and support from people beyond my expectations," he told Anadolu.

Beganovic said his background as an athlete made him decide to make the pilgrimage by foot.

"My late mother and father bequeathed to us not to stray from your religion," he said, adding that he has not wearied from his travel.

Last year, 53-year-old British-Iraqi engineer Adam Muhammed made a similar journey, setting off from his home in Wolverhampton to the Muslim holy city.

His journey took 11 months and took him through 11 countries, covering 6,500 kilometres.

Hajj is one of Islam's five pillars and is considered obligatory for all those who are physically able and can afford it.

The annual hajj pilgrimage, which lasts just under a week, is set to take place in late June this year.