Holy Kaaba to be adorned with new Kiswa as new Hijri year begins

The Holy Kaaba is set to receive a new Kiswa, its black silk covering, as Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon of Muharram on Monday evening.

The Kiswa is produced each year at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa in Saudi Arabia. It is made from pure silk and embroidered with Qur’anic verses using gold- and silver-plated threads.

Ahead of the replacement, the new Kiswa is transported to the Grand Mosque, where specialists carry out final inspections to ensure all sections are ready for installation.

The replacement process begins with the careful removal of the existing Kiswa. Workers then install the new covering piece by piece on all four sides of the Kaaba. The embroidered belt surrounding the Kaaba and the curtain covering its door are also replaced during the operation.

The annual ceremony is carried out by specialized teams and requires careful planning and precision.

By the first day of Muharram, the Kaaba will be adorned with its new Kiswa, marking the beginning of the new Islamic year.