Annual Kiswah replacement at the Kaaba marks the beginning of 1448 AH with a deeply spiritual ceremony in Makkah.
In the holy city of Makkah, the sacred Kaaba at Masjid al-Haram witnessed its annual Kiswah replacement ceremony late Monday night, marking the arrival of the Islamic New Year 1448 AH with profound spiritual significance.
The ceremony, overseen by the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques and the King Abdulaziz Complex for Kiswah Manufacturing, involved the careful removal of the old covering and the installation of a newly crafted black silk Kiswah. The process began after Isha prayer, continuing through the night in a highly coordinated sequence.
The new Kiswah, made from premium silk and embroidered with gold and silver threads, features intricate Qur’anic inscriptions in Thuluth script. It weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms and includes around 120 kilograms of gold and silver thread, reflecting exceptional craftsmanship and devotion.
Historically, the Kiswah was replaced during the Hajj season, but the timing has now been shifted to the beginning of the Islamic year to ensure improved preservation and ceremonial continuity. Parts of the previous covering are preserved and later gifted to Islamic institutions and museums worldwide.
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