Two Holy Mosques Authority Completes Replacement Of Holy Kaaba Kiswa

MAKKAH, June 26 (Bernama-SPA) -- The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has completed the annual replacement of the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba, continuing a tradition of care that spans over 100 years, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

A specialised team of 154 Saudi professionals from the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa carried out the replacement process. The team was strategically assigned to various sides and the roof of the Kaaba based on their areas of expertise.

The process began with dismantling the old Kiswa and installing the new one, which was then secured at the corners and across the roof of the Kaaba.

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The new Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms (kg) and stands 14 metres high. It consists of four separate panels along with the door curtain (sitara). Each panel was individually raised and aligned over the previous one, with the new Kiswa being gradually lowered as the old one was removed.

This process was repeated for all four sides. Once in place, the decorative band (hizam) was aligned and stitched along a straight line around the Kaaba.

Next, the corners were sewn vertically from top to bottom to ensure a seamless and secure finish. The sitara, which requires precision and considerable time, was then installed.

A cut was made in the black silk fabric to fit the curtain—measuring 3.30 metres wide and 6.35 metres long—and three openings were created beneath the fabric to insert the curtain. It was then sewn into the Kiswa from both the inside and outside to ensure proper placement.

The making of the Kiswa consumed approximately 825kg of raw silk, dyed black at the complex, 120kg of gold-plated silver thread, 60kg of pure silver thread, and 410kg of raw cotton.

-- BERNAMA-SPA