An important tradition was carried out at the Grand Mosque, which has taken the place of the Holy Kaaba’s kiswa, also known as Ghilaf-e-Kaaba, as the Muslim world ushered in the new Islamic year.
On the first day of Muharram, a group of knowledgeable workers changed the kiswa, or covering, of the Holy Kaaba. They carefully removed the old kiswa’s golden rings before covering the Holy Kaaba with the new one. The previous kiswa is then taken out and slid over the new one.
#VIDEO: The Kaaba Kiswa is being replaced, during the first day of the new Hijri year, with a new one amidst a high and integrated organization pic.twitter.com/8pN6KtHDQF
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) July 18, 2023
This amazing kiswa was not easily made. The 56 pieces of fabric that make up the kiswa are hand-embroidered by more than 100 skilled artisans. It takes anywhere from 60 to 120 days to complete each piece.
120 kilograms of gold thread and 100 kilograms of silver were used to make the kiswa.
The Holy Kaaba now has a rich history and significant spiritual significance in addition to its magnificent appearance. Pilgrims from all over the world congregate at the Grand Mosque to observe this ceremony as the Islamic New Year gets underway.
