Ka’aba draped in new Kiswa to mark beginning of new year 1445

The Kaaba is the holiest site in Islam and the direction of prayer for Muslims around the world.

The Kiswa is traditionally changed every year on the ninth or 10th day of Dhu Al Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar, which coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage. However, last year, a royal decision moved the date to the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

The process of changing the Kiswa involves a specialist team that carefully removes the old covering and replaces it with a new one, side by side. The new Kiswa is made of 47 pieces of natural silk, each 98 centimetres by 14 metres, that are hand-embroidered with gold and silver threads. A total of 120 kilograms of gold thread and 100 kilograms of silver were used in the process.

The embroidery features Quranic verses and Islamic phrases in the Al Thuluth style of calligraphy. The Kiswa is also scented with oud, a fragrant wood.

The old Kiswa is cut into small pieces and distributed to selected individuals and institutions as a sign of honor and blessing.

The Kiswa has been produced at the Kiswa Al Kaaba factory in Makkah since 1962, under the supervision of the Saudi Arabian government.