JEDDAH: Every year, the old black silk cloth that covers the Kaaba is removed and a new one is draped on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hijjah, which falls on Monday Aug 20 this year.
Known in Arabic as the “Kiswa,” the black and gold cloth that is wrapped around the Kaaba gets replaced once a year during the Hajj season.
The move occurs when pilgrims head to Mount Arafat to witness a key ritual during pilgrimage. The older kiswa is removed and replaced with a new one.
On Sunday, a team of technicians are assigned to conduct the task, by lifting the gold- embroidered pieces from the kiswa corners.
This includes lifting the curtain draped over the Kaaba’s door, which is embroidered from pure gold.
It also includes four panels inscribed with Surat Al-Ikhlas [a Qur’anic verse] placed in every corner of the Kaaba and lanterns inscribed with Qur’anic verses hanging in its interior.
The delicate task is carried as per an operational plan to re-adorn the Kaaba with the new kiswa, said Ahmad bin Mohammad Al Masnouri, the head of the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswah.
Process to place the Holy Kaaba’s new ‘Kiswa’ begins for Hajj 2018
Process to place the Holy Kaaba’s new ‘Kiswa’ begins for Hajj 2018
Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs meeting and briefs ministers on his recent meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
- Cooperative efforts includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air transport
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers reviewed a number of domestic and international matters during a session in Jeddah on Tuesday chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent meeting with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which included discussions about regional security and stability, the latest developments in the Middle East, and other topics of importance to the Arab and Islamic world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He also shared with ministers the contents of a letter he received from the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The council discussed progress in cooperative efforts involving Saudi Arabia and other countries including Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Cuba and Kiribati, and approved a number of memorandums of understanding.
The cooperation includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air-transport services, the press agency said. Ministers also approved an agreement between the Saudi General Authority for Awqaf and its Omani counterpart relating to endowments.
They reviewed national initiatives, including one for the promotion of charitable work, and the enhancement of humanitarian and developmental efforts across the country.
A merger of the National Competitiveness Center with the Saudi Center for Economic Business to create a combined Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center was authorized.
