Salim Moumou Eljeddahoui aims to cycle more than 3,000 miles to join two million pilgrims at Islam's holiest city. He is set to arrive in Saudi Arabia for the start of Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to Mecca - on December 18. The 25-year-old, who moved to Nottingham this year to learn English, will be travelling solo, covering around 70 miles a day.

He said the trip follows the footsteps of his grandfather, who walked to Mecca from France.

"It took him six months during which the conditions for eating and sleeping were very difficult," he said. "I want to experience similar conditions and the same difficulties."

Salim, who lives in Lenton, added: "I'm also aware of the Crusades. Some of the soldiers are said to have set off from Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem but instead of going for war I am going in peace."

Salim will cycle through France, Belgium, Switzerland and on into Italy. From there, he will catch a ferry to Turkey and continue on bike through Syria and Jordan before arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Salim said he has been planning for a year but only decided to go ahead with his plans after Ramadhan.

Salim is taking a tent, but will also stay at mosques and hotels. He is being supported by some of the Nottingham mosques, including the Karimia Institute of Dr Musharraf Hussain. Dr Hussain said: "It is a good example for young people to see someone being so courageous and entrepreneurial. I have been advising him to take the right precautions so that he is always near a hostel, mosque or hotel at night and doesn't have to sleep rough.