Latest news with #Kaaba
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Kaaba Kiswa replaced as Hijri Year 1447 begins
Mecca: The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque today held the ceremonial changing of the Kiswa, the black silk covering of the Holy Kaaba, in observance of the start of the Islamic year 1447 AH. The new Kiswa, weighing 1,415 kilograms and measuring 14 metres, has been installed. It consists of four separate sides and the curtain of the door. The belt of the Kiswa comprises 16 pieces, in addition to seven pieces below the belt, 17 lanterns beneath the belt, four panels inscribed with Surat Al-Ikhlas (a Qur'anic verse), and one piece representing the decoration of the mizab (water spout). The Kiswa consumes around 825 kilograms of raw silk, dyed black within the complex, 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver threads, 60 kilograms of pure silver threads and 410 kilograms of raw cotton.
Arab News
2 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Replacement of Holy Kaaba's kiswa completed
RIYADH: The Grand Mosque in Makkah faced the dawn of the first day of the first month in the Islamic calendar, Muharram, with the kiswa-changing ceremony by the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, represented by the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa. This annual event embodies the Kingdom's commitment to serve the Two Holy Mosques — not only in organizational and administrative aspects but also on a symbolic and sacred level, given the central place the Kaaba holds in the hearts of more than a billion and a half Muslims worldwide. They installed the embroidered curtain with gold-plated threads, the hizam (belt), the samadiah (decorative elements), lantern-shaped pieces, and decorations surrounding the mizab (rainwater spout), the corners, and other adornments, creating a captivating scene infused with feelings of reverence and supplication. The occasion also highlights the pioneering role of Saudi youth, who form the backbone of production, supervision, and execution within the complex. National competencies demonstrate leadership in guiding work teams, overseeing design details, and innovative technical solutions that ensure the highest standards of precision — merging exquisite craftsmanship with modern technological aspirations. The kiswa exceeds 14 meters in height and is adorned with Quranic verses embroidered with gold-coated silver and pure silver threads, written in the Thuluth script, forming a masterpiece that demands precise engineering, care and artistic expertise to preserve its identity and quality over time. This annual event is not merely a repeated occasion but an extension of a historical legacy established by the Founding King Abdulaziz — and reinforced by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It is part of the national vision centered on serving the Two Holy Mosques and enhancing the quality of services provided to pilgrims and other visitors. Every year, the ceremony to change the kiswa is a memorable scene in the collective memory of the Islamic nations and a living symbol of how the care for the holy sanctuaries has evolved from a responsibility into a leadership role.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
On Islamic New Year, Saudi Arabia unveils new gold-embroidered Kiswa for Kaaba
Saudi Arabia unveiled the new Kiswa, the black and gold cloth that covers the Kaaba in Mecca, on the first day of the Islamic New Year in a sacred tradition that dates back to the Prophet Mohammed. The new Kiswa is made of 670 kilograms of natural black silk and 150 kilograms of gold and silver-plated thread. It features 68 Quranic verses embroidered with 24-karat gold-plated silver, all hand-stitched by skilled artisans using traditional Islamic embroidery techniques. For more news on Saudi Arabia, visit our dedicated page. The massive textile spans 658 square meters, consists of 47 silk panels, and weighs more than a metric ton. It is produced annually at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Manufacturing of the Kaaba's Kiswa in Mecca, and its estimated cost is approximately $4.5 million (SAR 17 million). A ritual of reverence and precision The Kiswa is replaced every year on the first day of Muharram – which falls on Thursday in the lunar calendar – in a carefully coordinated operation involving over a hundred specialized technicians. The installation is carried out using electric lifts and scaffolding to ensure that no part of the Kaaba is exposed at any time. To protect the Kiswa from damage during the Hajj pilgrimage, a white cotton covering known as the 'Ihram of the Kaaba' is temporarily added to its lower portion. This barrier shields the cloth from being touched, torn, or stained as millions of pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba during the peak days of worship. What happens to the old Kiswa? Once the new Kiswa is in place, the previous year's covering is carefully removed, cleaned, and cut into approximately 56 pieces. These pieces are then distributed under royal directive to kings, heads of state, foreign ambassadors, prominent religious institutions, and international Islamic organizations. Other sections of the old cloth are preserved in government conservation facilities and archival storage centers, ensuring their protection from deterioration. These fragments are seen as symbols of spiritual and cultural heritage and are often displayed in official institutions, museums, and exhibitions. A global legacy Some of the oldest surviving pieces of the Kiswa date back to the Mamluk and Ottoman eras. Notable examples include a 1517 Kiswa displayed at the Grand Mosque of Bursa in Turkey. Other historical fragments are housed in Cairo's Islamic museums and Turkish archives, showcasing the artistic legacy of Islamic civilization through centuries of Kaaba coverings. Evolution of the Kiswa tradition The tradition of covering the Kaaba dates back to the early days of Islam. During Prophet Mohammed's time, it was customary to drape the Kaaba in Yemeni cloth. Later, under the caliphs and Islamic dynasties, Kiswas were produced in Egypt and sent annually to Mecca in elaborate ceremonial caravans. Since 1927, following a royal order from King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia began producing the Kiswa locally. Today, the King Abdulaziz Complex employs hundreds of craftsmen and specialists who oversee the entire process – from dyeing and weaving the silk to stitching Quranic verses in gold and silver.
Mint
10-06-2025
- Mint
Hajj 2025 concludes: A look at the spiritual journey of millions of pilgrims to Mecca
Hajj 2025 concludes: A look at the spiritual journey of millions of pilgrims to Mecca| In Pics 7 Photos . Updated: 10 Jun 2025, 10:08 AM IST Share Via Hajj 2025 concludes, with over 1.6 million Muslims from more than 150 countries gathering in Mecca to take part in the annual Islamic pilgrimage and offer their prayers. 1/7An aerial view captures Muslims at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on June 8, 2025, as the annual Hajj pilgrimage comes to a close. (AFP) 2/7Muslim pilgrims walk through water sprayed by sprinklers during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia. (REUTERS) 3/7Pilgrims reach out to touch the Kaaba, Islam's most sacred shrine, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, marking the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP) 4/7Muslims gather at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, as the annual Hajj pilgrimage comes to a close. (AFP) 5/7Muslim pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil by casting stones at pillars, the final ritual of the annual Hajj, in Mina near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (AP) 6/7A Muslim pilgrim offers a prayer after performing the symbolic stoning of the devil, the final ritual of the annual Hajj, by casting stones at pillars in Mina near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (AP)
Khaleej Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Million-plus pilgrims begin Haj under the blazing sun
More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the Haj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the holy Kaaba — the black cube at the heart of Makkah's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. State media reported that others had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on the holy city of Makkah's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point on Thursday — prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mouhammad (peace be upon him) is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf — walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day. Before entering Makkah, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. "I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem Al Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. - Artificial intelligence - Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest Haj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Haj and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
