Saudi Arabia: In sacred tradition, Kaaba’s cover elevated ahead of Hajj season

As part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Saudi Arabia has raised the lower part of the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa (the black cloth covering) by three metres, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The annual ritual involves carefully lifting the lower section of the Kiswa, separating its corners, and securing it at a height of three metres. A white cotton cloth, two metres wide, is then wrapped around the exposed section on all four sides. The lamps surrounding the Kaaba are also returned to their designated positions after the process.

This tradition, carried out by highly trained technical teams, is designed to protect the Kiswa from damage or handling during the peak days of Hajj, when thousands of pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in close proximity. The procedure is conducted with strict adherence to safety standards and deep respect for the sanctity of the site.

Raising the Kiswa is a key part of a broader effort by Saudi authorities to ensure a safe, organised, and spiritually uplifting experience for millions of pilgrims expected to arrive for the annual pilgrimage.