Video | When people swam around the Kaaba during the 1941 Mecca flood

Written By سنان خلف on 2026/05/16

This article was written originally in Arabic and is translated using a 3rd party automated service. ArabiaWeather is not responsible for any grammatical errors whatsoever.

Arab Weather - Sinan Khalaf - A rare picture that raised many questions about a rainstorm that flooded the courtyard of the Holy Mosque in Mecca, during which people swam around the Holy Kaaba in a land known for its dryness throughout history. This picture, which circulated the world, was revealed by the Bahraini Sheikh “Ali Al-Awadhi”, who appears in it swimming in the courtyard of the mosque, documenting this rare event.

Sheikh Al-Awadi mentioned in a television interview with him before his death, may God have mercy on him, that he was studying in Mecca in 1941 AD, and he was 12 years old at the time, and heavy rains fell that year and continued for two full weeks, day and night, until they turned into torrential floods that swept through all of Mecca.

He continued: On the last day of the rainfall, he, along with his brother, two of his friends, and their teacher, decided to go to the Grand Mosque in Mecca. They found that the water had covered the mosque to a height of approximately 5 to 6 feet.

Everyone stood watching the scene, until he suggested to them the idea of swimming around the Holy House. So he went down with his brother and one of his friends to implement that idea, and they are the ones sitting, as they appear in the picture, on the threshold of the door of the Holy Kaaba.

This article was written originally in Arabic and is translated using a 3rd party automated service. ArabiaWeather is not responsible for any grammatical errors whatsoever.


Browse on the official website



Massive thunderstorms the size of entire countries hit Arab regions, causing hail and flash floods. Why might 35°C in Europe be more dangerous than 50°C in the Arab world? The scientific secretOnly 5 days left! Al-Hussaini explains the reality of summer heat waves.Venezuela in crisis: Death toll from two earthquakes rises to 1,719, fears grow for the fate of thousands missing.Urgent | Red alert in the Makkah region and widespread warnings affecting areas in Saudi ArabiaThe Strawberry Moon of 2026 is nearing its peak tonight in a rare astronomical spectacle.Shock in Germany: Record-breaking heatwave melts railway components and disrupts train trafficRain and lightning strike an Arab country that does not receive rainfall.Smoke from European fires reaches the eastern Mediterranean in the upper atmosphere... What does this mean?