Maintenance of the Holy Kaaba and the Hijr Ismail has been completed to the highest standards

A new achievement in serving the Two Holy Mosques

The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, in coordination with relevant authorities, announced the completion of periodic maintenance work on the Holy Kaaba and the Hijr Ismail (the semi-circular wall adjacent to the Kaaba). This achievement is the culmination of ongoing efforts aimed at preserving Islam's holiest sites, in accordance with the highest global engineering, technical, and operational standards, and carried out by qualified Saudi personnel.

The historical context of the care of the Holy Kaaba

Historically, the Holy Kaaba has received immense attention and meticulous care from the leaders of the Islamic nation throughout the ages. Since the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its kings have given exceptional attention to the Two Holy Mosques. Modern maintenance work is an extension of the comprehensive and historical restorations the Kaaba has undergone, such as the complete restoration during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in 1996, which included strengthening the foundations and renovating the Shadharwan (the base of the Kaaba). Today, under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – this care has been transformed into a precise institutional effort that utilizes the latest technologies to preserve the historical and architectural elements with the best available solutions.

Details of the periodic maintenance project for the Holy Kaaba

The authority explained that the maintenance work took approximately 4,700 working hours and was divided into 31 main packages encompassing 305 diverse activities. This work included the maintenance of the interior of the Holy Kaaba, its roof, and its outer perimeter. Furthermore, meticulous inspections and tests were conducted on the internal elements, including wood, stone, marble, and gold-plated metals, with corrective treatments implemented according to approved technical methodologies.

The work included replacing over 30 linear meters of expansion joints (silicone) around the Holy Kaaba in all damaged sections, and regrouting over 50 linear meters of marble joints. In addition, the entire marble flooring surrounding the Kaaba was polished and buffed from all sides, including the side facing the Holy Kaaba's door, reflecting meticulous attention to detail.

A detailed operational plan to ensure the smooth flow of the circumambulation

One of the most significant challenges successfully overcome was implementing this massive project without disrupting the flow of pilgrims. The project was executed according to a meticulous operational plan that ensured the continued smooth movement of pilgrims and visitors in the circumambulation area. The work was carried out with high efficiency and within carefully planned timeframes to guarantee the highest levels of safety, which contributed to unifying efforts and achieving the highest levels of field coordination. Furthermore, specialized environmental studies were conducted to assess the characteristics of the interior of the Holy Kaaba, ensuring the preservation of its internal components and the Kaaba's covering with the highest standards of quality and sustainability.

The importance of the event and its local and international impact

The completion of the maintenance of the Holy Kaaba holds immense significance on several levels. Locally, this achievement highlights the efficiency of the national workforce that executed the project using the latest technologies and materials conforming to international standards, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims. Regionally and internationally, this event sends a message of reassurance to more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, confirming the complete readiness of the Grand Mosque in Mecca to receive Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The preservation of the Holy Kaaba's components reflects the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to serving Islam and Muslims, and to providing a safe and conducive environment for performing religious rites with ease and tranquility.