The Holy Kaaba in Makkah will be adorned with a new kiswa cover on the first day of the Islamic new year, Muharram 1, 1446. A team of 159 technicians and craftsmen will take part in the annual tradition of changing the kiswa. The process involves removing the old cover and replacing it with a new one, consisting of four separate sides and a door curtain. Each side will be raised individually to the top of the Kaaba and fixed in place. The new kiswa is made up of 1,000 kilograms of raw silk, dyed black, 120 kilograms of gold wire, and 100 kilograms of silver wire.
Over 200 skilled Saudi craftsmen and administrators worked at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa to manufacture the new cover. They completed various stages of manufacturing, including embroidery, hand and machine weaving, printing, draping, and coloring. The complex houses departments for dyeing, automatic and hand-weaving, printing, belts, gold-plating, and sewing. The sewing and assembling department boasts the world’s largest sewing machine, 16 meters long and computer-operated.
The kiswa changing ceremony follows a handing over event held last month, where Deputy Emir of Makkah and Deputy Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee Prince Saud bin Mishal handed over the kiswa to its deputy senior keeper Abdul Malik Al-Shaibi on June 18. The kiswa, measuring 14 meters in height, features a belt with Islamic decoration and is made up of four pieces to cover each side of the Kaaba, with an additional curtain for the door. The old kiswa is removed using a precise process of raising and lowering the new cover for seamless transition.
The new kiswa is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans who work tirelessly to maintain the traditions of the annual cover-changing ceremony. The process involves raising each side of the kiswa individually to cover the Kaaba before stitching the pieces together to form a seamless cover. The kiswa is a symbol of respect and reverence for the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, and is made with the finest materials, including silk and precious metals like gold and silver.
The King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa is dedicated to the manufacturing and maintenance of the kiswa, with specialized departments for various stages of production. The complex houses state-of-the-art equipment, including the world’s largest sewing machine, to ensure the highest quality craftsmanship. Skilled artisans and administrators work together to create each new kiswa, following traditional methods passed down through generations.
The annual changing of the kiswa is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing renewal and devotion to the Kaaba. The meticulous process of removing the old cover and replacing it with a new one involves skilled craftsmen and technicians who uphold the sacred traditions associated with the Holy Kaaba. The new kiswa, made with the finest materials and crafted with precision, is a testament to the reverence and respect Muslims hold for the holiest site in Islam.
