Saudi Arabia to replace Kaaba’s Kiswa as Hijri Year 1447 begins

Dubai: The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is set to begin the ceremonial changing of the Kiswa, the black silk covering of the Holy Kaaba this Thursday, in observance of the start of the Islamic year 1447 AH. 

The new Kiswa, completed after nearly 11 months of meticulous craftsmanship, was produced at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswah in the Umm Al Joud district of Mecca.  

The process follows centuries-old traditions and involves seven main stages: water purification, silk washing, black dyeing, weaving, geometric printing of Quranic verses, embroidery with gold and silver threads, and final assembly and inspection. 

Made from 47 intricately woven pieces of black silk, the Kiswa is adorned with 68 verses from the Quran, embroidered using silver threads plated with 24-karat gold. The total weight of the Kiswa reaches approximately 1,415 kilograms. 

The ceremonial removal of the old Kiswa will begin on Wednesday afternoon, the 29th of Dhu Al Hijjah, following Asr prayer. The official installation of the new covering will take place in the early hours of Thursday, the first day of Muharram, ushering in the new Hijri year.