Mecca: To commemorate the beginning of the Islamic year 1447 AH, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque held a ceremonial changing of the Kiswa, the black silk covering of the Holy Kaaba, today.
The new Kiswa, which weighs 1,415 kg and measures 14 meters, has been placed. It has four distinct sides as well as a curtain for the door.
The Kiswa's belt consists of 16 parts, along with seven pieces beneath the belt, 17 lanterns under the belt, four panels inscribed with Surat Al-Ikhlas (a Quranic verse), and one piece representing the decoration of the mizab (water spout).
The Kiswa is made of approximately 825 kilograms of raw silk, which is dyed black within the complex, 120 kilograms of goldplated silver threads, 60 kilograms of pure silver threads, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton.
