Bangladesh, like many countries in South Asia, experiences sweltering summer heat every year. This extreme temperature not only affects daily life but also has a profound impact on places of worship, particularly mosques, where congregational prayers take place multiple times a day. Save Earth Society’s initiative to donate fans to Dishaband Mosque is a timely and empathetic response to this issue.
The Heat Problem in Places of Worship
Mosques often lack adequate climate control, especially small community mosques. Studies show that mosques have unique thermal characteristics due to high internal volumes and congregation patterns, making them prone to heat accumulation (Yüksel & Arıcı, 2022). Mosque buildings commonly suffer from:
- High solar gain through domes, walls, windows, and poor insulation materials (Ahmed et al., 2015; Ahriz et al., 2021).
- Limited air circulation, leading to stagnation, higher temperatures, and humidity.
In hot climates like Saudi Arabia, large-scale mosques employ solutions such as air‑conditioning systems, mist fans, marble flooring, giant shading umbrellas, and chilled Zamzam water to cool interiors and courtyards (Saudi Gazette, 2023). Unfortunately, smaller mosques don’t have these resources and rely on basic infrastructure.
Impacts of Heat on Worshippers
High heat levels compromise the comfort, health, and well‑being of worshippers:
- Thermal discomfort leads to concentration issues, fatigue, and potential health risks in vulnerable individuals (Zakaria et al., 2017).
- Heat stress increases dehydration and discomfort during long prayer sessions, particularly in midday or midday-Jummah prayers.
Why Fans Matter: Short- and Long-Term Benefits
Although fans aren’t a permanent solution like insulation or advanced HVAC, they offer immediate relief:
- Air movement cools the skin through sweat evaporation, reducing perceived temperature.
- Psychological comfort—even slight airflow provides relief during prayer.
- Low cost, high impact—fans are affordable and easy to install, making them ideal for community-level interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- A comprehensive review on mosque energy efficiency highlighted that simple actions like improved ventilation or fans can effectively address thermal discomfort at low cost (Ahriz et al., 2021).
- Energy audits show that poor insulation plus solar gain is a major contributor to cooling needs—fans can reduce this short‑term burden (Yüksel & Arıcı, 2022).
Save Earth Society’s Initiative
By donating two high-quality electric fans to Dishaband Mosque, Save Earth Society is achieving:
- Immediate relief during the hottest part of the day.
- Demonstration effect—inspiring other communities to take similar small-scale actions.
- Foundation for long-term change—showing that even small efforts can lead to sustainable solutions.
Best Practices for Maximal Impact
To increase this initiative’s effectiveness:
- Proper placement: Fans should be installed to create cross-ventilation rather than just pointing at walls.
- Scheduling use during peak prayer times to maximize benefit.
- Maintenance plans, ensuring the fans remain functional.
- Community engagement: Encourage shared ownership so users treat these fans as their own.
Integrating Fans into Broader Thermal Strategies
For a long-lasting impact, fans should be part of a comprehensive approach:
- Shading structures like umbrellas over courtyards (used by larger mosques worldwide) to reduce direct solar radiation (Saudi Gazette, 2023).
- Building retrofits, including insulation upgrades, window shading, and reflective roofing (Ahmed et al., 2015).
- Smart ventilation systems, such as opening windows during non-service hours or installing mist systems (Zakaria et al., 2017; Smart Dome systems).
- Energy-efficient HVAC solutions powered by solar or other renewables to ensure comfort without cost burdens.
Save Earth Society
Save Earth Society’s fan donation may seem modest, but it addresses an urgent need: mitigating heat stress during prayers. These fans relieve immediate discomfort, foster community solidarity, and act as a steppingstone toward structural improvements in mosque environments. Insha’Allah, this initiative sets a benchmark for community-based interventions—one fan at a time.
References
Ahmed, A., et al. (2015). Thermal performance of mosque buildings [Peer‑reviewed article]. Sustainability, 12(10), 4014.
Ahriz, A., Mesloub, A., Elkhayat, K., Alghaseb, M. A., Abdelhafez, M. H., & Ghosh, A. (2021). Development of a mosque design for a hot, dry climate based on a holistic bioclimatic vision. Sustainability, 13, 6254.
Saudi Gazette. (2023, June 20). Several measures adopted to protect visitors of Prophet's Mosque from heat. Saudi Gazette.
Yüksel, A., & Arıcı, M. (2022). Energy consumption, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality in mosques: Impact of Covid‑19 measures. PubMed Central.
Zakaria, M. N. A., et al. (2017). Thermal comfort and its relation to ventilation approaches in mosques. Indoor Air Quality Journal.