Saudi Arabia has carried out the annual replacement of the Kiswa, the black cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba in Makkah. The work was managed by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, through the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa. The ceremony continues a tradition that the Kingdom has upheld for more than a century.
The process began with the removal of the gilded curtain from the Kaaba door, which measures 6.35 meters in length and 3.33 meters in width, along with the dismantling of chandeliers and decorative ornaments. This marked the start of replacing the old covering with a newly crafted one.
A Fully Saudi Craft Team
According to the General Presidency, a team of 154 trained Saudi craftsmen oversaw the work. Each was described as scientifically and practically qualified for the task. Their duties included raising the old Kiswa, detaching the gilded elements, and installing the new covering.
The Kiswa is not simply a cloth draped over the Kaaba. It is a carefully engineered textile, and its renewal each year is treated as a major operational undertaking. The new Kiswa was transported to the Grand Mosque under a system of logistical and operational support that the presidency said follows the highest global standards.
How the New Kiswa Is Made
The new covering comprises 47 panels of embroidered black silk. Stitched into them are 68 Quranic verses worked in 24-karat gold-plated silver threads. The complete Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms.
The materials reflect the scale of the craftsmanship. The team used 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread, 60 kilograms of pure silver, 825 kilograms of silk, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton. In addition, 54 gilded pieces were produced using eight specialized weaving machines within the complex. The combination of hand embroidery and machine weaving allows the complex to meet both the artistic and the durability demands of the covering.
A Living Tradition
The Kiswa has covered the Kaaba in various forms for centuries, and the responsibility for producing it has long been considered a great honor. The dedicated complex in Makkah now allows the entire Kiswa to be designed, woven, and embroidered locally, from the silk dyeing to the final gold-thread calligraphy.
For the millions who perform Tawaf each year, the black-and-gold covering is among the most recognizable sights in the Muslim world. Its annual renewal stands as a visible symbol of the care given to Islam's holiest site.
What Pilgrims Should Know
Pilgrims visiting Makkah may notice the fresh covering and the crisp gold embroidery near the Kaaba door. Visitors are reminded to admire the Kiswa without attempting to touch, climb, or pull at it, in keeping with the rules that protect the structure and keep the crowded Mataf area safe. Photography is permitted in most areas, but pilgrims should remain mindful of those around them performing Tawaf and avoid blocking the flow of worshippers.