Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The Incredible Process Behind the Kaaba's New Kiswa
Changing the Kiswa (covering) of the Kaaba is a yearly event that begins at the beginning of the year 1447 AH. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque oversees the process. Most Viewed: The largest donation of billions and trillions is happening every year in a invisible way
Once the manufacturing phases for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa in Umm Al-Joud are finished at the King Abdulaziz Complex, the process of changing it can begin.
The Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba has been carefully designed over the course of eleven months by a team of young, dynamic Saudis who are experts in weaving silk, silver, and gold threads into a masterpiece.
For the Kiswa of the Kaaba, around 850 kg of black raw silk, 120 kg of gold thread, and 100 kg of silver thread are used.
Along with 68 verses from the Quran stitched in 24-karat gold-plated silver threads, the new Kiswa is comprised of 47 pieces of black silk. The Kiswa weighs around 1,415 kilos in total.
It takes about a year to make the Kiswah and about four hours to replace the old one with a new one. The cost is about 25 million riyals. Recommend: History of the silver and gold doors of Kaaba over 5000 years
There are seven exact steps to making a Kiswa: desalinizing the water, washing, weaving, printing, embroidery, assembly, and last inspection. The unique black tone of the raw silk was achieved by washing it in water that had been prepared according to exacting washing requirements.
In keeping with a tradition that dates back a century, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque chooses seven materials to be carefully woven into the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba, and they use only the finest and most luxurious fabrics in its production.
Raw materials provided to the Kaaba Kiswa Factory include green plain silk fabric (behind the curtain), black patterned silk fabric, plain black silk fabric, white cotton fabric, red plain silk fabric, and cotton inner fabric (sugar) for the Kaaba Kiswa, according to the Authority.
Both the Kaaba and the Prophet's Chamber are adorned with green-patterned silk fabric.
The Kaaba's lining and Kiswa are made of woven plain and patterned fabrics, and geometrically precise Quranic verses are printed upon them. After that, everything is put together and stitched together with gilded decorations and writing stitched with threads of silver and gold. See Also: Reasons to visit Madina and the Prophet's Mosque
The process begins with a thorough examination to guarantee the highest quality requirements are met prior to installation. These steps represent the great deal of work and expertise that goes into making this one-of-a-kind Kiswa.
From the King Abdulaziz Complex, where the Kiswa is manufactured, a special trailer will bring the Kaaba's cover to the Grand Mosque.
Following Wednesday's Asr prayer on Dhul Hijjah 29, 1446 AH, the gilded portions of the old Kiswa will be dismantled. Early Thursday, the first of Muharram, 1447 AH, will mark the beginning of the official replacement ritual within the Grand Mosque.
Conforming to the yearly tradition of each Hijri year, tomorrow 159 artisans and technicians will alter the covering of the Kaaba. A new covering, consisting of four individual sides and a door curtain, will be installed when the old one is removed.
Every year, the Kiswa symbolizes the kingdom's deep concern for the Two Holy Mosques and its dedication to reviving the Kiswa in a way that is worthy of its honor and purity in the eyes of Muslims worldwide. Read: Why is the marble flooring of Makkah cool, even in high temperatures
The Incredible Process Behind the Kaaba's New Kiswa
