The Ghanaian Minaret

Riyadh: The Kiswa, a black silk embroidered cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba, was replaced on Thursday to mark the beginning of a new Islamic year.

The kiswa-changing ceremony was undertaken by the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques through the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa.

A specialised team of 154 Saudi professionals from the complex initiated the process with the removal of the gilded curtain from the Kaaba’s door, measuring 6.35 metres by 3.33 metres.

They dismantled the old Kiswa and installed the new one, which was then secured at the corners and across the roof of the Holy Kaaba.

The new Kiswa features 47 expertly embroidered black silk panels, embellished with 68 Quranic verses intricately stitched using gold-plated silver threads and written in the Thuluth script, forming a masterpiece that demands precise engineering.

The new Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilogrammes 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.

Once in place, the hizam (belt), the samadiah (decorative elements), lantern-shaped pieces, and decorations surrounding the mizab (rainwater spout), the corners, and other adornments are respectively fitted.

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

The replacement exercise is an embodiment of the Kingdom’s commitment to serve the Two Holy Mosques not only in organisational and administrative aspects but also on a symbolic and sacred level, given the central place the Kaaba holds in the hearts of more than a billion and a half Muslims worldwide.

The occasion also highlights the pioneering role of Saudi youth, who form the backbone of production, supervision, and execution within the complex.

This annual event, which spans a century, is not merely a repeated occasion but an extension of a historical legacy established by the Founding King Abdulaziz and reinforced by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It is part of the national vision centred on serving the Two Holy Mosques and enhancing the quality of services provided to pilgrims and other visitors.

Every year, the ceremony to change the kiswa is a memorable scene in the collective memory of the Islamic nations and a living symbol of how the care for the holy sanctuaries has evolved from a responsibility into a leadership role.