Pilgrims Battle Searing Heat with Ice Cream and Fans in Makkah

Makkah (AFP) – Inas Gamal, a mother of four performing her first hajj pilgrimage from Egypt, found herself battling extreme temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. She abandoned plans for daytime prayers in Makkah’s Grand Mosque due to heat and sought refuge in an air-conditioned hotel room.

The National Center for Meteorology predicts temperatures during the annual pilgrimage will hover between 42-47 degrees Celsius. Pilgrims from outside the region face brutal desert climate, leading many to drink large amounts of water and beverages rich in salts and minerals.

Authorities rely on powerful air conditioning systems to cool the Grand Mosque’s courtyards, with fans, mist sprayers, and cooled flooring systems available elsewhere. Free bottles of ice-cold water are distributed by trucks, but even these measures cannot fully mitigate the searing heat.

Pilgrims often seek relief in shaded areas or indoor galleries, where they wait to perform prayers under large fans. Ice cream stands attract crowds as pilgrims try to stay cool. Over 50,000 healthcare staff and 3,000 ambulances are on standby during the hajj, with medical teams already treating numerous cases of heatstroke.

In 2024, more than 1,300 pilgrims died due to extreme temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. Health officials advise against prolonged sun exposure and emphasize the importance of drinking water and using umbrellas to prevent heatstroke.