Saleh bin Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi is the senior caretaker of the Kaaba, coming from a family that has been in charge of caring for the holy structure for centuries.
Al-Shaibi received the new Kiswa for the Kaaba from Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Sunday, which will be placed on the Kaaba on the day of Arafat.
The Kiswa preparation takes several months, and it took 170 craftsmen to put it together.
Al-Shaibi was born in Makkah, and holds a doctorate in Islamic studies. He initially worked as a university professor, and has published several books on religion and history.
His family has been assigned the role of the caretaker of the Kaaba since the conquest of Makkah and Al-Shaibi is the 77th caretaker from the same family.
The family has been in charge of the affairs of the Kaaba, inside out, cleaning, washing and ironing and repairing its Kiswa if it is torn apart, receiving its visitors and everything related to it.
Saleh Al-Shaibi became caretaker of the Kaaba in 2013 after his uncle, Abdulqader Taha Al-Shaibi, passed away.
The guardianship of the Kaaba has been entrusted to the sons of Al-Shaibi and their successors, as a tradition that was commenced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after the conquest of Makkah in the 8th year of Hijra. He handed the key of the city to Uthman Ibn Abi Talha and ordered that the honor should forever remain only in his family.
The guardianship of the Kaaba remained in Bani Shaibi, handed on to the elders of the family until today. At present, the functions of the caretaker are limited to the opening and closing of the Kaaba. The royal court, the Interior Ministry and the emergency forces coordinate with him if there are any state guests.
FaceOf: Saleh Al-Shaibi, senior caretaker of the Kaaba
FaceOf: Saleh Al-Shaibi, senior caretaker of the Kaaba
Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition
- The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year
ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.
The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.
The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah’s combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the “expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla’s pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area.”
DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.
AlUla’s protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.
“Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies,” Dark Sky said.
Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.
With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.
The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
