By Ado Salisu
Saudi Arabia has begun preparations for the annual replacement of the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa, the black silk covering that adorns Islam’s holiest site in Makkah, in continuation of a centuries-old tradition that symbolizes the Kingdom’s commitment to the care of the Two Holy Mosques.
The exercise is being supervised by the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque through the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa.
Preparatory operations include the removal of gold-embroidered ornaments, decorative features, lamps, and other attachments on the existing Kiswa, alongside lowering the curtain covering the Kaaba’s door.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the new Kiswa has been transported from the King Abdulaziz Complex to the Grand Mosque under a carefully organized operational plan designed to meet international standards.
A team of Saudi specialists is responsible for removing the old covering and installing the new one.
The production of the new Kiswa involves premium materials, including 825 kilograms of natural silk, 47 rolls of black silk for the outer layer, and 400 kilograms of raw cotton for the inner lining.
The intricate embroidery of Quranic verses and Islamic designs requires about 60 kilograms of pure silver and 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver.
Before production begins, all materials undergo extensive laboratory testing to ensure durability and compliance with quality standards suitable for different climatic conditions.
The manufacturing process combines advanced technology with traditional craftsmanship. Quranic inscriptions and artistic designs are first printed on the fabric before being carefully embroidered using gold and silver threads.
Saudi artisans also continue to preserve hand-weaving techniques for special decorative sections requiring exceptional precision.
After completing the stages of dyeing, weaving, testing, printing, embroidery, hand weaving, and assembly, all components are combined to create the complete Kiswa ready for installation on the Holy Kaaba.
The seven-stage production process reflects a combination of heritage, craftsmanship, and modern innovation, ensuring the Kiswa remains a masterpiece befitting the sacredness of the Holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque.
For more than a century, the annual replacement of the Kiswa has remained a significant symbol of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to preserve Islamic heritage and maintain its service to the Two Holy Mosques.
