At the beginning of the new Hijri year, the Kaaba is adorned with its new Kiswa.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is preparing to change the Kiswa (cover) of the Kaaba next Thursday, marking the beginning of the new Hijri year 1447 AH. This occasion is one of the most prominent symbolic rituals reflecting the sanctity of the site and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's dedication to the Kaaba. The new Kiswa was completely completed within the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Kaaba, located in the Umm Al-Joud neighborhood of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, after approximately 11 months of work involving a group of specialized Saudi craftsmen and technicians.

Precise stages in the manufacture of the Kiswa The kiswa production process involves several meticulous stages, beginning with the preparation of raw materials. These include desalinating the washing water and using it to clean the natural silk before dyeing it in its distinctive black color. The silk is then woven in specialized workshops, followed by geometric printing of Quranic verses using silk threads. The kiswa is then hand-embroidered using gold and silver threads. 24-karat gold threads are used, reflecting the precision and artistic beauty of the time. After completing all the embroidery and assembly stages, the kiswa undergoes a rigorous final inspection to ensure its quality and flawlessness.

New cladding details The new Kiswa consists of 47 carefully woven silk pieces, featuring 68 Quranic verses embroidered with gold-plated silver threads. The total weight of the Kiswa is 1,415 kilograms. More than 120 kilograms of gold and silver threads are used in its manufacture. The transportation process from the complex to the Grand Mosque takes place using a specially designed trailer, carefully designed to protect the Kiswa from any damage during the journey. The ceremony of removing the old Kiswa begins after the Asr prayer on Wednesday, Dhu al-Hijjah 29, in preparation for the replacement of the new Kiswa in the early hours of Thursday, the first day of Muharram 1447 AH.

The historical and spiritual significance of the Kiswa The Kiswa (covering of the Kaaba) holds a great spiritual and historical significance in the hearts of Muslims. It symbolizes the reverence for the Sacred House of God and is renewed annually in a tradition that has spanned centuries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been the sole entity responsible for manufacturing and replacing the Kiswa since the unification of the country, and has invested significant effort to preserve this Islamic heritage. The King Abdulaziz Complex is the world's first and largest specialized facility in this field, with more than 200 technicians and administrators working there, supervising the finest details that produce this unique piece of art.