Mashable: The Kaaba shines anew: Saudi Arabia replaces Kiswa in ceremony marking Hijri Year 1447; Watch

In a deeply symbolic annual ritual, Saudi Arabia unveils a new gold-embroidered Kiswa on the Holy Kaaba as the Islamic New Year begins.

In the heart of Islam’s holiest city, a revered tradition unfolded once again as Saudi Arabia ceremoniously replaced the Kiswa—the ornate black cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba—to mark the beginning of the Hijri Year 1447.

Following Asr prayers on Wednesday in Mecca, the old Kiswa was carefully removed in a spiritually charged operation that draws the attention of Muslims around the globe. In the early hours of Thursday morning, under the stillness of the sacred night, a team of skilled workers and caretakers began installing the new Kiswa, crafted with precision, devotion, and reverence over nearly a year.

This year’s Kiswa is a masterpiece of Islamic artistry. Weighing over 1,400 kilograms, the silk cloth is embroidered with 68 verses from the Quran, meticulously woven in silver and 24-karat gold thread. The process of creating the Kiswa is as sacred as the moment it is draped over the Kaaba itself. The cloth is made in a dedicated complex in Mecca, where dozens of skilled artisans work for 11 months using both ancient techniques and modern methods to produce the sacred covering.

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The tradition of replacing the Kiswa dates back centuries and is one of the most significant rituals marking the Islamic New Year. The Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred site, stands at the center of the Grand Mosque and draws millions of pilgrims each year, especially during Hajj. The annual renewal of the Kiswa symbolizes spiritual renewal and divine connection, aligning perfectly with the themes of reflection and new beginnings that accompany the start of Muharram—the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

The replacement ceremony is meticulously timed and coordinated, beginning just after Asr and continuing overnight. The old cloth is respectfully removed in panels, with sections often preserved and distributed to dignitaries, scholars, and museums around the world. As the new Kiswa is installed, the Kaaba gleams anew in its black and gold attire—a visual reminder of the sanctity and timelessness of Islamic tradition.

The Kiswa’s design remains consistent from year to year: Quranic verses frame the upper part of the cloth, while the belt, or hizam, encircles the Kaaba with intricate calligraphy. Gold-plated rings and fastenings hold it securely in place, ensuring it withstands the strong winds and sun of the Arabian Peninsula.

As the Islamic world welcomes 1447 AH, the renewal of the Kiswa stands as a powerful symbol of continuity, devotion, and unity. It reminds believers of the enduring legacy of the Kaaba and the faith that it inspires in the hearts of millions. Through this sacred tradition, the new year begins not just with a change in the lunar calendar but with a reaffirmation of faith woven in gold and silk.