Holy Kaaba adorned with new Kiswa

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has successfully installed a new cover for the Kaaba, known as the "Kiswa." This significant task was undertaken by a team from the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, which consisted of 159 skilled craftsmen, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

The replacement process took place at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. The craftsmen, each specialized in different aspects of the installation, began by carefully dismantling the old Kiswa. They then proceeded to install the new cover, meticulously securing it at the corners and on the roof of the Kaaba.

The new Kiswa, which weighs 1,350 kilograms and stands 14 meters high, consists of four separate panels and a door curtain. Each panel was individually raised to the top of the Kaaba, prepared for installation. The old Kiswa was removed from the bottom as the new panels were lifted and positioned in a continuous motion to ensure a smooth replacement.

The installation process involved several precise steps: the new Kiswa was raised and lowered over the old one, with each side being secured in place. This method was repeated for all four sides until the entire Kiswa was properly installed. Once in place, the belt was aligned straight along all four sides and sewn into position. The corners were sewn from the top of the Kiswa to the bottom, ensuring a tight and secure fit.

The final step involved placing the curtain, which required careful measurement and precision. A section of the black fabric was cut to match the size of the curtain, which is approximately 3.33 meters wide and 6.35 meters long. Three openings were created in the fabric to attach the curtain from underneath, and the edges were sewn into the Kiswa’s black fabric.

The new Kiswa is crafted from approximately 1,000 kilograms of raw silk dyed black within the complex, and embellished with 120 kilograms of gold threads and 100 kilograms of silver threads.

The Kiswa’s belt comprises 16 pieces, with an additional seven pieces located below the belt. This intricate process highlights the dedication and skill involved in maintaining this revered covering of the Kaaba.