Makkah, Saudi Arabia – Web Desk: The Holy Kaaba was adorned with its new kiswa (covering) on the first day of the new Islamic year in a deeply spiritual ceremony at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, captivating the hearts of Muslims worldwide.
The sacred ritual, carried out under the supervision of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, was marked by scenes of profound devotion, reverence, and spirituality. The new covering, meticulously crafted at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa, was transported to the Grand Mosque in a special procession before being installed by a large team of skilled specialists.
Hundreds of experts from the Kiswa Factory and Haram workers participated in this sacred service, demonstrating exceptional precision and care throughout the complex process. The installation operation spanned several hours, during which the cover was carefully lifted and secured onto the Holy Kaaba, with specialists working across multiple levels of the structure.
Throughout the ceremony, the sacred atmosphere remained uninterrupted. Millions of worshippers and pilgrims continued their rituals of tawaf (circumambulation) and prayers around the Kaaba, witnessing the breathtaking transformation as the new black silk covering, embroidered with gold and silver threads, was unveiled.
The tradition of changing the kiswa now takes place on the first day of the new Islamic year. Until a few years ago, this annual ritual was performed on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, when pilgrims had departed for the plains of Arafat and the Grand Mosque experienced relatively lower footfall. The timing was chosen to allow the ceremony to proceed with minimal disruption to worshippers.
However, in recent years, the historic ceremony has been shifted to the first day of Muharram, allowing the blessed occasion to coincide with the beginning of the new Hijri year. This change has added another layer of spiritual significance, as millions of Muslims around the world welcome the new Islamic calendar while witnessing the House of Allah don its new garment.
