RIYADH, 17 April 2007 — A three-month walkathon, thought to be the first of its kind in the Middle East and entitled “the Journey for the Faithful Leaders,” is set to start next week in memory of four Arab leaders who recently passed away.
The walkathon — which has been dedicated to the memory of King Fahd, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan Al-Nahayan, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Bahraini Emir Sheikh Essa ibn Salman Al-Khalifa — will start from the main gate of the Riyadh Governorate.
The expedition has been sponsored by State Minister Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Fahd, President of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisy, Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) Company, Aljomaih Automotive Company, and businessmen Abdul Karim Al-Omar and Sheikh Mahfouz ibn Zoumah.
Abdul Majeed Al-Dowsari, a Saudi youth from Wadi Al-Dawasir, said the primary objective of his journey is to popularize the fundamental tenet of Islam that “There is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger.”
“I am an athletic soldier serving Islam, my country and the world’s Muslims. ... I would like to convey my message through Arab News so that it reaches Western readers,” he said.
Al-Dowsari said that the walkathon has not received much exposure although he has received a lot of support from the government and prominent Saudi businessmen as well as some Gulf officials. He has also been interviewed by radio anchor Khadijah Al-Wa’l of MBC-FM.
Al-Dowsari will collect a list of signatures during his trip, which he hopes to present to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
He has also suggested to the relevant sports authority in the Kingdom the need to create a club to encourage walkathons. Al-Dowsari, who will be traveling over 45,000 km from the Kingdom to Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, is also hoping to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
Among other prominent individuals supporting him is Omani Ambassador to the Kingdom Saeed Al-Kalbani.
He has also earned the goodwill of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, Prince Sultan ibn Nasser Al-Farhan and Prince Jalawi ibn Saud.
Al-Dowsari believes he is the only Arab, at least in modern history, to embark on such a journey. “Determination and patience will help me finish this adventurous trip despite the risks and difficulties I’ve already suffered and may yet face,” Al-Dowsari said.
He sincerely thanked Prince Sultan ibn Fahd, president of the Youth Welfare and his deputy Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal for the support and facilities they have offered him to make his journey a success.
