Riyadh — As Muslims around the world prepare to receive a new Hijri year, the Holy Kaaba is preparing to receive its new Kiswa in a tradition renewed annually at Islam’s holiest site. The process reflects Saudi Arabia’s care for the Grand Mosque and showcases the precision and craftsmanship involved in producing the Kiswa.Preparations begin months in advance at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, where specialists produce the covering from pure natural silk and embroider it with gold- and silver-plated threads.As the replacement date approaches, preparations intensify within the Grand Mosque. Sections of the new Kiswa are transported to designated locations in readiness for installation. Specialists also conduct final inspections of the embroidered pieces, Islamic motifs, and Qur’anic verses to ensure they are fully prepared before the replacement begins. On the eve of the replacement, specialized technical and engineering teams mobilize to carry out the operation, which requires the highest levels of precision.The process begins with the removal of the gilded elements and embroidered pieces attached to the existing Kiswa. Sections of the old covering are then carefully detached before the new Kiswa is installed piece by piece across the Kaaba’s four sides. The operation follows a precise sequence to ensure perfect alignment and harmony between all sections.The same night also sees the installation of the embroidered belt encircling the Kaaba and the curtain covering its door, along with the gilded decorative elements that form some of the Kiswa’s most distinctive features.The occasion highlights the vital role of Saudi specialists in the production, maintenance, and installation of the Kiswa. The Kingdom has developed world-leading expertise in this field, combining the preservation of Islamic heritage with the latest technologies and techniques in weaving, embroidery, and manufacturing.The replacement of the Kiswa carries profound religious and civilizational significance, reflecting the place of the Holy Kaaba in the hearts of Muslims. It also embodies the care devoted to the Two Holy Mosques by the Kingdom’s leadership as part of its longstanding commitment to serving Islam and Muslims and caring for the faith’s holiest sites.By dawn on the first day of Muharram, the Kaaba will be adorned with its new garment, marking the beginning of a new Hijri year. The annual replacement remains an extraordinary event that reflects the continuing care devoted to the Grand Mosque and a renewed Islamic legacy passed down from one generation to the next.
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