New Kiswa Installed at Holy Kaaba on First Day of Islamic New Year

Makkah, The Gulf Observer: In a significant event marking the start of the Islamic new year, a new Kiswa was installed early Sunday at the holy Kaaba in Makkah. The installation, which took place on the 1st of Muharram, 1446H, was overseen by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The intricately designed black cloth cover was installed by a specialized team from the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Kaaba. The team comprised 159 skilled craftsmen, working under the supervision of engineers and technicians specially trained for this complex process.

As reported by SPA, the task began with the removal of the gold-embroidered pieces from the old Kiswa while the new one was transported to the Grand Mosque from the King Abdulaziz Complex. The new Kiswa includes 53 gold-embroidered pieces, which consist of 16 for the belt area, seven for under the belt, four corner pieces, 17 lanterns, five pieces for the door curtain, one piece for Al-Rukn Al-Yamani, and two pieces for the Black Stone outline, along with the gutter.

The production of the Kiswa involves 159 skilled craftsmen who create 56 gold-embroidered pieces for the Kaaba’s covering. This meticulous handwork takes between 60 and 120 days to complete a single piece. The materials used in the Kiswa include 120 kilograms of gold, 100 kilograms of silver, and 1,000 kilograms of silk. The entire Kiswa weighs 1,350 kilograms, measures 14 meters in height, and is composed of four separate sides and a door curtain.

The exterior of the Kiswa is adorned with inscriptions woven in black threads. The installation process is highly intricate, requiring the four sides to be lifted separately to the top of the Kaaba. After securing the sides, the corners are sewn from top to bottom, and the curtain is then placed. This requires precision, as an opening must be made in the black fabric to fit the curtain, which measures approximately 3.33 meters in width and 6.35 meters in length. Additional openings are made to secure the curtain from underneath, and the edges are sewn into the black fabric covering.

This annual tradition includes raising the lower part of the Kiswa ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage to protect it from being soiled or damaged by pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba. This year, this procedure was carried out on May 22, three weeks before the pilgrimage commenced.