Kaaba Kiswa Replaced as Hijri Year 1447 Begins

Mecca: The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque today held the ceremonial changing of the Kiswa, the black silk covering of the Holy Kaaba, in observance of the start of the Islamic year 1447 AH. According to Oman News Agency, the new Kiswa, weighing 1,415 kilograms and measuring 14 meters, has been installed. It consists of four separate sides and the curtain of the door. The belt of the Kiswa comprises 16 pieces, in addition to seven pieces below the belt, 17 lanterns beneath the belt, four panels inscribed with Surat Al-Ikhlas (a Qur'anic verse), and one piece representing the decoration of the mizab (water spout). The Kiswa consumes around 825 kilograms of raw silk, dyed black within the complex, 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver threads, 60 kilograms of pure silver threads, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton.