A SCOTTISH adventurer is aiming to be the first Muslim to complete a gruelling ski to the South Pole.
Mostafa Salameh, a Scottish-Jordanian Muslim of Palestinian origin, will set off in November to complete the arduous challenge, which will involve blazing a new trail to the Pole.
The endurance hike is the latest in a series of adventures for the Mr Salameh, who has previously climbed Everest, reached the peaks of the seven highest mountains on each of the continents, and made it to the North Pole.
Along the way he has raised huge sums for charity, and always carries a Scottish saltire for good luck. The trek to the South Pole will be his final challenge, and will raise funds for the charity Islamic Relief's education and climate change projects.
He described the challenges he will face on the marathon ski as jihad, which can also mean an internal spiritual struggle rather than holy war.
He said: "It is a great image for Islam to be doing something peaceful and I believe that jihad is something that you do that will give benefit to other people."
The 44-year-old was brought up in a refugee camp before coming to the UK to study at Edinburgh University. He has received a number of awards for his adventures, and was knighted by the King of Jordan for his services to charity.
He said: "I'm about to go on a great journey, and it's going to be difficult. We [his team] are not going on holiday, and its going to be very tough.
"We're going to be spending 50 days walking in the middle of nowhere, where there is no one else at all.
"Preparation is the most important thing, but this trip is completely different and has never been done before. We don't know what we can expect.
"It's all about teamwork and everyone on this expedition brings something. We have a goal and we're going to reach it because we are preparing and doing everything it takes to get us there."
The adventurer will help launch Islamic Relief Ramadan 'Share Your Relief' appeal at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew at 5pm on June 9.
The theme of the Ramadan campaign this year encourages UK Muslims to reflect on the relief they feel at iftar, the late evening meal at which the long daily Ramadan fast is broken.
Zia Salik, Islamic Relief's National Community Fundraising Manager said: "Ramadan will be particularly challenging for Scotland's Muslims this year, with up to 19 hours of fasting each day."
"While some of us will struggle, we can find strength in the knowledge that we will receive the blessing of iftar at the end of the day. Sadly there are millions of people around the world whose hunger will know no end.
"We hope that Scottish Muslims will support our campaign and help us to share their relief with those less fortunate."
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