The Kaaba cover was delivered to the custodians of the Holy House of God in 1446 AH by royal decree
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - and in a solemn ceremony reflecting the great attention that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pays to the Islamic holy sites, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, handed over the new Kaaba cover to the Chief Custodian of the Holy House of God, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Saleh Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi, signaling its preparation for replacement on the first of Muharram of the new Hijri year 1446 AH.
Ancient rituals and a renewed legacy
The annual handover ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Makkah Region Governorate, in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. During the ceremony, the handover document was signed, which is an official document transferring the new Kiswah (cover) from the custody of the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques to the custodians of the Holy Kaaba, the Al-Shaibi family, who have held this noble responsibility for centuries by order of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Historical background of the Kaaba's covering
The covering of the Kaaba is a deeply rooted Islamic tradition dating back to pre-Islamic times, and it has continued and evolved throughout the various Islamic eras. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has had the honor of producing the covering since the reign of its founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud (may God have mercy on him), who ordered the establishment of the first dedicated workshop for its production in Mecca in 1346 AH (1927 CE). This commitment continued with the establishment of the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kaaba Covering, a unique industrial complex that combines cutting-edge technology with the finest craftsmanship to produce this Islamic masterpiece.
Precision manufacturing and unique specifications
The new Kaaba cover is made annually at the King Abdulaziz Complex, undergoing multiple stages of dyeing, weaving, and embroidery. It is crafted from the finest pure natural silk, dyed black, and weighs approximately 850 kilograms. The cover is adorned with intricate embroidery and calligraphy of verses from the Holy Quran, crafted using gold and silver threads. Approximately 120 kilograms of gold thread and 100 kilograms of silver thread are used in this process. The cover is 14 meters high and features a central belt, 95 centimeters wide and 47 meters long, composed of 16 pieces decorated with Quranic verses.
The religious and cultural significance of the event
This annual event holds immense significance at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, it underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading role in serving the Two Holy Mosques and safeguarding Islamic holy sites, a role of which both the leadership and the people are proud. On an Islamic level, the ceremony of handing over and replacing the Kaaba's covering is an event followed with fervor and reverence by Muslims worldwide, as the Holy Kaaba symbolizes the unity of the Muslim Ummah and its direction in prayer. This annual tradition also reflects the ongoing care for the Sacred House of God and embodies the highest expressions of respect and veneration for the holiest place on Earth.
