The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has concluded its annual tradition of raising the lower portion of the Kiswah, or covering, of the Holy Kaaba. This ceremony, conducted on Wednesday, involves elevating the Kiswah by approximately 3 meters and concealing the exposed area with a white cotton cloth measuring 2.5 meters wide and 54 meters long, spanning all four sides.

This precautionary step, integrated into the plan for the 2024 Hajj season, aims to safeguard the Kiswah from potential damage during the pilgrimage, as pilgrims often come into contact with and inadvertently cause harm to the Kiswah during the tawaf, the ritual circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba.

To veil the revealed section of the Holy Kaaba, a white cotton cloth measuring 2.5 meters in width and 54 meters in length was draped around all four sides. This temporary covering will remain in position until the 15th of Dhu al-Hajj.

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A team of 36 specialized Saudi technicians, utilizing 10 cranes, executed the procedure. The process entails several meticulous stages, commencing with the unscrewing of the bottom portion of the covering from all sides. Subsequently, the corners are separated, the lower rope is untied and removed from the securing rings, and the cloth is rolled upward.

Upon the lifting of the Kiswah, lanterns surrounding the Kaaba are dismantled to accommodate the white cloth, which is then installed. The lanterns are then reinstated over the white cloth until the final phase, which involves enveloping the lower part of the curtain of the Holy Kaaba’s door.