International multi-platinum award winning nasheed artist Maher Zain is treking through the vast Great Wall of China to raise funds for war stricken Gaza. The Great Wall of China Trek 2014 is a 10 day humanitarian mission in association with Human Appeal.  Zain and a group of 40 activists are visiting some of the main attractions in China, including the Great Wall of China, vistas and most astounding Islamic historical sites.

The aim of the initiative is to provide lifesaving, clean water for children in Gaza.  The coastal enclave is currently under Israeli occupation and residents struggle with daily activities for survival. Clean water is currently scarce in Gaza. The territory’s only water supply is highly contaminated. Consequently, people are forced to drink water mixed with sewage. The blockade has banned or delayed construction materials needed to repair Gaza’s collapsing water and sanitation network.

Currently, Zain is documenting his participation in the programme on his Facebook and Twitter page.

“Tomorrow, insha’Allah, I’ll be joining 40 people – including my good brother @OmarRegan – and we will undertake a journey of a lifetime: to the Great Wall of China in aid of #Gaza,” Zain wrote on his first day of the trip.

The Swedish-Lebanese powerhouse is also joined by US comedian Omar Regan on the trip.  Regan uses entertainment and humour to promote tolerance and diversity. He builds bridges across racial, religious and social divides and offers his own unique perspective on everyday life.

Zain’s presence in the programme will serve as a platform to advocate and voice the issues pertaining to Gazans,  and has attracted great responses globally. The singer-songwriter has been involved in numerous campaigns to garner humanitarian support for Muslim communities around the world.

He has performed across the Muslim world including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Europe,  the USA and South Africa in 2013.

Zain started climbing on Sunday and took a picture just before he set foot the monumental Great Wall.

He tweeted: “Just taking a short break, subhanAllah its tougher than I imagined.”

As one of the New Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China is one of the most appealing attractions on the globe. Stretching over 8,851 km, the Wall winds up and down across mountains, deserts and the most popular cites in the country.

Originally constructed as a fortress over 2,000 years ago, Y it has been used to protect the Empire from attacks. Centuries after its construction, it remains one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

The Great Wall of China Trek will be in progress from 15 August until 25 August 2014. VOC (Nailah Cornelissen)