To the Far East on a Tandem.

£950 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

In their own words, married couple Asma and Ahmad Sayeg were “two English Muslims, who made this long trip across half the world to visit countries that were of interest to us from a religious point of view. Nevertheless, the story itself we feel sure, will be of great interest to all the youth of the world, who may be interested in cycling, camping and out-door adventure” (p7). The Sayegs converted to Islam in 1950 after attending meetings at the mosque in Woking, Surrey. They conceived of their cycling adventure as a way to familiarise themselves with the countries of the Muslim world, and as an intrepid means to cement their newfound faith. Financial constraints limited their choice of vehicle, and they settled on a thirty five year old tandem, fitted with a small motor on the back, as well as a side-car for their luggage and their Pekinese dog Chiang. Their journey took them across the French Alps, through Switzerland and Italy, on to Yugoslavia, where they ran out of money. An act of kindness from a Yugoslavian businessman refilled their coffer, and on they went to Greece and Turkey. They were warned off their original plan to travel through Iran, and instead took the train from Nusaybin through Syria and into Iraq. They reached Mosul and Baghdad just as winter set in, and found themselves much suspected of being British Intelligence agents. From here they travelled to Tehran after all, and on to their goal destination of Pakistan. They receive a royal welcome at Karachi

• Year: 1952

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