Holy Kaaba Adorned With New Kiswa In Annual Tradition By Skilled Craftsmen

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque adorned today the holy Kaaba with a new cover "Kiswa" as per the annual tradition. A team from the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa, consisting of 159 craftsmen, carried out the replacement.

The team, distributed around the sides and roof of the holy Kaaba according to their specializations, began by dismantling the old Kiswa and installing the new one, then fixing it at the corners and on the roof of the holy Kaaba. The installed Kiswa, weighing 1,350 kilograms and standing 14 meters high, consists of four separate sides and a door curtain.

Each side of the holy Kaaba was individually raised to the top of the Kaaba in preparation for unfolding it over the old covering. The side was fixed at the top by tying it, and the other end was lowered after the old Kiswa's ropes were untied. The new side was moved up and down in a continuous motion, followed by lowering the old Kiswa from the bottom, leaving the new side in place.

This process was repeated four times for each side until the Kiswa was completed. Finally, the belt was aligned in a straight line along the four sides and sewn into place. After securing all sides, corners were sewn from top to bottom. Once this was completed, a curtain was put in place requiring time and precision.

A cut was made in black fabric to match curtain size: approximately 3.33 meters wide and 6.35 meters long. Then three openings were made in black fabric to attach curtain from underneath. Finally, edges were sewn into black fabric on Kiswa.

Complex Operations

The Kiswa consumes approximately 1,000 kilograms of raw silk dyed black within complex, 120 kilograms of gold threads, and 100 kilograms of silver threads. As for Kiswa's belt, it consists of 16 pieces along with seven pieces below belt.

The King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa employs around 200 craftsmen and administrators who are trained, qualified citizens. The complex includes several departments: dyeing and automated weaving, hand weaving, printing, belt-making, gilding, sewing, and assembly of Kiswa.

Supporting Departments

It houses world's largest sewing machine in terms of length measuring 16 meters operating with computerized systems. Additionally there are supporting departments such as laboratory administrative services quality control public relations health services for workers occupational safety.

The entire process showcases dedication precision ensuring every detail is meticulously handled maintaining tradition honouring significance holy site.

With inputs from SPA