Saudi Arabia replaces Ghilaf-e-Kaaba

MECCA: The Holy Kaaba’s covering or kiswa, also known as the Ghilaf-e-Kaaba, was replaced to mark
the first day of the new Hijri year, a video of which was shared by the Saudi Gazette.

#VIDEO: The Kaaba Kiswa is being replaced, during the first day of the new Hijri year, with a new one amidst a high and integrated organization pic.twitter.com/8pN6KtHDQF

— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) July 18, 2023

The tradition that takes place every year at the Grand Mosque involves over 100 craftspeople who hand-embroider the 56 pieces of fabric that make up the kiswa.

The materials used to make the kiswa include 120 kilograms of gold thread and 100 kilograms of silver. Each piece takes somewhere between 60 to 120 days to complete.

A team of skilled workers then change the covering on the first day of Muharram, following a strict protocol.

The golden rings that hold the old kiswa in place have to be carefully unfastened, and then the new covering is draped over the Kaaba. The old kiswa is then removed from underneath the new one.