Kiswa of Holy Kaaba was raised to mark the start of Hajj 2024
In anticipation of the commencement of Hajj 2024, authorities in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, have raised the Kiswa (Ghilaf-e-Kaaba).
The Kiswa, the cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba, was raised by three meters, with the lower part covered by a white cotton cloth (Ihram) two meters wide on all four sides. This annual practice aims to safeguard the Kaaba from potential damage before the Hajj pilgrimage.
The ceremony was overseen by a team of specialists from the King Abdul Aziz Complex, entrusted with the maintenance of the Kaaba.
Traditionally, the replacement of the Kiswa occurs on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. However, in 2022, this ritual was shifted to the first day of Muharram.
The Kiswa itself is black and consists of 670 kilograms of raw silk adorned with Quranic verses woven in gold-plated thread. These verses are intricately woven using 120kg of gold and 100kg of silver threads. Additionally, the belt of the Kiswa comprises six distinct pieces.
