MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia, July 7: A new Kiswa was installed on the holy Kaaba in Makkah early Sunday, marking the first day of the Islamic new year, 1 Muharram, 1446h. The installation was carried out by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque (PBUH), according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

A specialized team from the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Kaaba, composed of 159 skilled craftsmen under the supervision of engineers and technicians, performed the intricate task. The team first removed the gold-embroidered pieces from the old Kiswa while the new one was transported to the Grand Mosque.

The new Kiswa includes 53 gold-embroidered pieces: 16 for the belt area, seven for under the belt, four corner pieces, 17 lanterns, five pieces for the door curtain, one piece for Al-Rukn Al-Yamani, and two pieces for the Black Stone outline, along with the gutter.

The production of the Kiswa involves 159 craftsmen at the complex, who handcraft 56 gold-embroidered pieces over 60 to 120 days for each piece. The process uses 120 kilograms of gold, 100 kilograms of silver, and 1,000 kilograms of silk. The completed Kiswa weighs 1,350 kilograms, measures 14 meters high, and consists of four separate sides and a door curtain, adorned with black thread inscriptions.

The installation process involves lifting the four sides of the Kiswa to the top of the Kaaba. Once the sides are fixed, the corners are sewn from top to bottom, and the curtain is then placed. An opening is made in the fabric for the curtain, which measures approximately 3.33 meters wide and 6.35 meters long. Additional openings are made to secure the curtain from underneath, and the edges are sewn into the black fabric.

Ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage, the lower part of the Kiswa was raised on May 22 to protect it from damage during the circumambulation of the Kaaba by pilgrims. This protective measure is repeated annually.

The installation of the new Kiswa, involving up to 200 skilled technicians and craftsmen, is traditionally performed on the morning of Dhul Hijjah 9 during the Hajj season. However, last year, Saudi Arabia's General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques announced a change in tradition, moving the event to the eve of Muharram 1, the first day of the Hijri calendar. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the Two Holy Mosques presidency, stated that the change was made based on a royal decision.