The Holy Kaaba in Makkah received a new Kiswa, the elaborately designed black cloth cover, on the first day of the Islamic new year, 1 Muharram 1446H.

The installation was carried out by a team of 159 skilled craftsmen from the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Kaaba, under the supervision of specialized engineers and technicians.

The new Kiswa, weighing 1,350 kilograms and measuring 14 meters high, is composed of four separate sides and a door curtain. It is adorned with intricate gold embroidery, using 120 kilograms of gold, 100 kilograms of silver, and 1,000 kilograms of silk.

Each gold-embroidered piece takes between 60 and 120 days to complete by hand.

The installation process is complex and requires meticulous skill. The four sides are lifted separately to the top of the Kaaba, and then carefully sewn together. The curtain is then installed, followed by the fixing of the edges.

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The Kiswa is replaced annually to protect it from damage and soiling caused by pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba. Previously, the replacement was done during the Hajj season, on the morning of Dhul Hijjah 9.

However, last year, Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques announced a change in tradition, shifting the event to the eve of Muharram 1. This decision, based on a royal decree, aims to align the Kiswa replacement with the Islamic new year.

The new Kiswa, with its intricate design and symbolic significance, serves as a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship involved in maintaining the sacredness of the Kaaba.