A specialized technical team has replaced the kiswah, the embroidered silk covering of the Kaaba, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia [1, 2].
The replacement is a longstanding tradition performed at the start of the Islamic (Hijri) year to honor the holy sanctuary [1, 2].
Located inside Masjid al-Harām, the Kaaba's covering is updated annually to maintain the sanctity and appearance of the site. For the beginning of the Hijri year 1445, the process involved a team of 154 people [1]. The operation took several hours to complete as the team removed the old fabric and installed the new version [1].
The new kiswah is composed of 47 individual pieces [1]. According to report data, the total weight of the new silk covering is approximately 1,410 kilograms [2].
"The Kaaba's covering, made of embroidered silk, is replaced with the beginning of the new Hijri year," BBC News Arabic said [2].
Technical specialists managed the intricate process of aligning the embroidered panels across the structure. The team's effort ensures that the gold and silver calligraphy remains pristine for the coming year [1].
"A specialized technical team of 154 people participated in the process, and the operation took several hours during which the old covering was removed and another new one consisting of 47 pieces was placed," MSN Arabic said [1].
“The new kiswah is composed of 47 individual pieces.”
The annual replacement of the kiswah serves as both a religious observance and a preservation effort. By utilizing a large, specialized technical team to manage the 1,410-kilogram structure, Saudi authorities maintain the physical integrity of the Kaaba's exterior while adhering to centuries-old traditions that mark the transition of the Hijri calendar.
