Through the land of Islam

Braving sand, sun and unending stretches of parched land, a lone New Zealander is about to begin a 10,000-kilometre camel journey -- from Rajasthan's Bikaner to Morocco's Rabat.

Leon Zippo Hayes, a 36-year-old English teacher, has been called 'cranky' and 'foolish'. But that doesn't matter to him one bit -- what does is proving there is no limit to human endurance.

To facilitate his journey through the land of Islam (Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Algeria...), the teacher has even converted. No more is he Christian Leon, but Muslim Riz Khan.

Tali, Khan's 'partner' for the journey, is a Rajasthani eight-footer. Worth all of Rs 30,000.

"We will be in Rabat in nine month's time," Khan says, "Just in time to watch the World Cup soccer, you know. Have to, 'cos I have never missed a World Cup before!"

Khan's odyssey, however, is not just for the heck of it. He plans to establish a Zippo House Fund in all 12 countries he would visit. The fund will finance orphanages there and fight the evil of child abuse.

Himself a victim of the menace, Khan has early memories of being nailed to a wall. The Zippo Fund, he hopes, will help create global awareness against the evil.

The proposed orphanages, Khan says, would be built using recycled material. Each would house 10 children who would be taught the Quran, Arabic, English, history, geography, social skills and environmental awareness.

"I want to promote a better understanding of Islam in the Western world," Khan says.

It was the Western attitude towards the Iraqis during the Gulf War that set Khan thinking. And when he was teaching about the modes of transport, the idea of a camel ride began to take shape. Thus, in March 1997, with help from eight friends, Khan began his preparations for the longest camel ride in modern times.

His first step was to take the name Riz Khan. "I will be visiting countries which are not open to foreigners," Khan says, "If I introduce myself as a Muslim, I hope to get a better response."

Khan's odyssey is expected to cost over $ 10,000 -- a sum which he has managed to scrape up from donations, sponsors and the last of his savings. But the finance bit doesn't bother him much. What he has spent, he is sure, he would be able to get back by chronicling his journey.

"I expect half a million dollars in royalties," he says.

Both Khan and Tali, in preparation for their dare-desert journey, have been intensively trained. While the camel has been pumped with vitamins and vaccines, Khan has taken a crash-course in Arabic and camel riding -- for, Tali is the first camel he has set his eyes on!

In the initial days, Khan expects to cover between 40 to 50 kms. As per the schedule, he would be crossing the Wagah border into Pakistan by November 1. Then on, he expects to pick up speed, covering around 70 kms a day.

After this, what? Oh, another journey, definitely!

"But not before marrying. My girl friend (from China) did not marry me before because she doesn't want widowhood," Khan laughs.

UNI