In a deeply symbolic tradition, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque completed the annual replacement of the Kiswa, the elegant black silk cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba early Thursday morning, coinciding with the first day of Muharram and the beginning of the Islamic year 1447 AH.
Crafted over nearly 11 months at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswah in Mecca’s Umm Al Joud district, the 2025 Kiswa is a masterpiece of Islamic artistry. It comprises 47 panels of richly woven silk, featuring 68 Quranic verses embroidered in silver threads plated with 24-karat gold. The final cloth weighs around 1,415 kilograms.
Also Read: Kaaba’s kiswa changed in an extensive annual ceremony.
The ceremonial process began Wednesday afternoon after the Asr prayer, when the old Kiswa was carefully removed under the supervision of a dedicated team of technicians and craftsmen. The replacement took place in the early hours of the following day, carried out with deep reverence and meticulous precision.
For Muslims around the world, the changing of the Kiswa is more than a visual transformation—it is a powerful moment of spiritual renewal, echoing centuries of tradition and devotion. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to upholding this sacred ritual reflects its role as the guardian of Islam’s holiest sites.
