Kaaba's Kiswa to Be Replaced as Islamic Year 1447 Begins
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque announced that the process of changing the Kiswa will start at dawn on Thursday, the first day of Muharram in the Hijri calendar.
The removal of the old Kiswa is scheduled to begin after Asr prayer on Wednesday, the 29th of Dhu Al-Hijjah.
The Kiswa, a large black silk cloth embroidered with Quranic verses, is replaced once a year in a tradition that dates back centuries. The new covering is made at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswah, located in the Umm Al Joud area of Mecca.
This year’s Kiswa was produced over nearly 11 months and went through seven stages: purification of water used in the process, silk washing, black dyeing, weaving, printing of calligraphy, gold and silver embroidery, and final assembly.
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Weighing around 1,415 kilograms, the Kiswa consists of 47 stitched panels of black silk. It features 68 Quranic verses, embroidered with silver thread coated in 24-karat gold.
Until a few years ago, the Kiswa was traditionally changed during the Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place in the final days of Dhu Al-Hijjah. In recent years, however, the replacement has been aligned with the start of the Islamic lunar year. No official explanation has been given for this shift in timing.
Source: Agencies
