In a deeply spiritual and time-honored ceremony, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque completed the annual replacement of the Kiswa—the black silk covering of the Holy Kaaba—on Thursday, marking the start of the Islamic New Year 1447 AH.
The new Kiswa, which took nearly 11 months to produce at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswah in Mecca’s Umm Al Joud district, was installed during the early hours of Muharram 1. This tradition, carried out with great precision, symbolizes both reverence and renewal as the Hijri calendar begins a new chapter.
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The ritual commenced on Wednesday afternoon, right after the Asr prayer on the 29th of Dhu Al Hijjah, with the careful removal of the previous Kiswa. A dedicated team of craftsmen and experts from the Kiswah complex managed each phase of the sacred process.
This year’s Kiswa is a masterpiece of Islamic art and devotion, comprising 47 finely woven black silk panels. It is embellished with 68 verses from the Quran, embroidered with silver thread coated in 24-karat gold. Weighing around 1,415 kilograms, the new Kiswa stands as a symbol of faith and exceptional craftsmanship.
The changing of the Kiswa is a centuries-old tradition that holds profound meaning for Muslims around the world. It reflects not only spiritual renewal but also the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Islamic rituals and preserving the sanctity of the holy sites.
