In a deeply symbolic and spiritual ceremony, the Kiswa — the black silk cloth that drapes the Holy Kaaba — was replaced on Thursday to mark the beginning of the Islamic year 1447.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque oversaw the annual tradition at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The process began with the careful removal of the ornate gilded curtain covering the Kaaba’s door, which measures 6.35 meters by 3.33 meters.
A team of 154 highly skilled Saudi craftsmen carried out the intricate replacement process. This longstanding tradition includes raising the old Kiswa, detaching its decorative features, and installing the new one with precision and reverence.
The newly installed Kiswa is composed of 47 hand-embroidered black silk panels, adorned with 68 verses from the Quran. These verses are meticulously stitched with gold-plated silver thread, reflecting centuries of Islamic craftsmanship.
The complete covering weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. Its production involved 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread, 60 kilograms of pure silver, 825 kilograms of silk, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton.
Additionally, 54 decorative gold elements were produced for the Kiswa using eight advanced weaving machines at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa — the center dedicated to creating the sacred covering.
The changing of the Kiswa is a time-honored tradition that not only marks the arrival of the new Islamic year but also reflects the continued preservation of Islamic heritage and devotion.
