Kaaba Receives New Kiswa as Muslims Welcome Islamic Year 1448 AH
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Holy Kaaba at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah will don a new Kiswa, the iconic black silk covering of Islam’s holiest site, as Muslims around the world welcome the Islamic Year 1448 AH.
The annual replacement ceremony will take place on the night of 1 Muharram, continuing a centuries-old tradition that symbolizes reverence for the Kaaba and marks the beginning of a new Hijri year.
Produced at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa in Makkah, the new cover represents one of the most sophisticated examples of Islamic craftsmanship.
The Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms and consists of an outer layer of black embroidered silk and an inner lining made from off-white cotton.
Its production takes between 10 and 11 months and involves the expertise of 150 Saudi artisans working across specialized departments.
The cover is crafted from 47 rolls of natural silk woven into large panels designed to envelop the entire structure.
Each meter of the patterned fabric contains nearly 10,000 threads, reflecting the precision involved in its manufacture.
Artisans adorn the Kiswa with 30 Quranic verses written in the elegant Jali Thuluth script. They embroider the inscriptions with 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread, 60 kilograms of silver thread, and 10 kilograms of pure silver, creating the distinctive calligraphy that embellishes the sacred covering.
The production process passes through seven stages, including silk washing and dyeing, weaving, printing, embroidery, sewing, and rigorous quality control.
The team relies on a specialized laser-guided sewing machine, described as the world’s longest, to assemble the silk panels with exceptional precision.
After installing the Kiswa, workers fasten it with around 100 ropes to protect it from weather conditions and keep it securely in place throughout the year as millions of pilgrims visit the Grand Mosque.
Saudi authorities estimate that producing the Kiswa costs more than 25 million Saudi Riyals each year, underscoring the Kingdom’s continued commitment to preserving one of Islam’s most revered traditions.
For Muslims worldwide, the installation of the new Kiswa serves as a powerful spiritual reminder of renewal, devotion, and the commencement of a new Islamic year.
