The Threat of Climate Change to My Religious Traditions

A Day at Masjid An-Nabawi

The main road leading to Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah buzzes with thousands of people searching for a spot to sit for Jummah (Friday) prayers. A friend advised me, "Arrive three hours early for a good seat." I didn’t realize how true that was until we arrived. Even though my husband and I got there before my parents and sister, we still couldn't enter the mosque grounds.

Other families were heading to Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca to perform the Umrah ritual. Outside the mosque, we found a shaded spot as the temperature soared above 30 degrees Celsius, which was still more tolerable than the scorching heat of the Arabian summer. I laid out my prayer mat and placed my bag next to it to reserve a spot for my mother and sister. They joined us shortly after, but I later learned that my father had to sit in the sun throughout the khutbah (sermon) and salah (prayer).

Rituals During Ramadan

At the same time, Ramadan was underway, so we were all fasting. The hot weather and lack of water made fasting a real challenge. Fortunately, this year's Ramadan fell in March, whereas in previous years, summer temperatures had soared above 40 degrees Celsius.

I hope to return one day to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage, a significant obligation for every Muslim at least once in their lifetime. However, with rising temperatures, I feel anxious about it. Shahin Ashraf MBE, head of global advocacy at Islamic Relief Worldwide, stated, "The situation in the future will worsen. We may see it becoming unsustainable in about two generations, meaning for the first time in our religious history, we will have to carefully consider who will go on Hajj."

Increased Risks in the Future

A recent study warns that by 2050, temperature stress levels in Mecca will exceed safe thresholds for human endurance. Previous studies have also shown that in a hotter world, the risk of heat shock could increase tenfold. We have already begun to witness unprecedented impacts, with over 1,300 heat-related deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage in 2024.

"I worry about my children and grandchildren, wondering if they will be able to perform Hajj in the coming years," Ashraf shared. "Pilgrimage is at the heart of everything, whether you are spiritual or not. It is where you find connection and a sense of belonging, whether at Glastonbury or Hajj. This holds profound meaning for people in various ways."

A Global Issue

This is not just a problem for Saudi Arabia. Concerns about climate change have also been raised regarding pilgrimages in other countries, such as Kumbh Mela in India, which attracts hundreds of millions of Hindu devotees, or the Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala in Iraq. Hkar Jawher, project coordinator for Islamic Relief Iraq, emphasized that these activities must be protected at all costs.

"Arbaeen is something we should not take lightly. We need to encourage people to participate. We must devote our efforts to provide a way for everyone to do it safely, as not only do we serve Iraqis, but we also welcome millions of visitors from around the globe," he said. "Religion is part of being human. Even atheists need something to believe in. These activities not only support us spiritually but also psychologically and socially. Morality helps you reach your goals. It can help you recover from pain and suffering."

A Personal Spiritual Journey

These sentiments resonate deeply with Benjamin Dilworth, a Christian from Northern Ireland. He began his Camino de Santiago journey in May 2023 after being diagnosed with a rare chronic liver disease. "For me, the Camino is truly an exercise in gratitude, but for most, it is a tool to overcome difficulties," Dilworth shared. "At least half of the people I meet are atheists. It’s so profound that you define it for yourself."

At the end of his 52-day journey, Dilworth recalled a heatwave in Spain that forced some older Camino walkers to stop early due to health risks. By August 2025, over 30 miles of this sacred route were closed during a 16-day heatwave with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius. "It would be tragic if we lost the Camino," Dilworth lamented. "Not only would we lose something that gives meaning to many lives, but we would also lose a part of the culture that humanity has developed over thousands of years."

The Religious Aspect of Climate Change

While faith remains a universal value, climate change does not discriminate by religion. If we lose access to spiritual practices, it will lead to an existential crisis for billions of people on the planet. Personally, I performed Umrah during the last Ramadan, and I know that faith is what keeps me grounded amid life's uncertainties.

Human Responsibility for the Earth

The Quran affirms humanity's role as Khalifah (stewards) of the Earth. It speaks of an Amanah (trust) and responsibility bestowed upon us to protect the natural world. It is up to each of us to safeguard the pilgrimages. Doing so means preserving a practice that has the potential to heal and benefit everyone.

This article is adapted and edited from: Condé Nast Traveler