Saudi Govt Reviews Regional, Int’l Developments

King Salman chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
King Salman chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Reviews Regional, Int’l Developments

King Salman chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
King Salman chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government reviewed on Tuesday the latest regional and international developments.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the meeting that was held at the al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

The ministers reviewed the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s policy work in recent days.

They were briefed on the message received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, from the president of Sri Lanka.

The message tackled bilateral relations between their countries and ways of bolstering them on various levels.

The cabinet tackled the state’s efforts in serving the visitors of the two holy mosques and its efforts in completing mega projects in the holy city of Makkah and Madinah to facilitate holy pilgrimages.

The ministers hailed in this regard Crown Prince Mohammed’s launch of the infrastructure works and unveiling of the master plan for the Rua Al Madinah Project in the area east of the Prophet’s Mosque.

The project is being developed and implemented by Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company that specializes in development, operation, and real estate investment in Madinah.

A part of PIF’s efforts to develop and enable promising sectors, the project is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The Rua Al Madinah Project will raise the capacity to facilitate hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030.

The project will be implemented to the highest international standards in an indication of the continuous support from the Kingdom’s leadership to Madinah to consolidate its position as a modern Islamic and cultural destination.



Ceremony Begins to Replace Kiswa of Holy Kaaba, Continuing a Legacy of Over 100 Years

The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
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Ceremony Begins to Replace Kiswa of Holy Kaaba, Continuing a Legacy of Over 100 Years

The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, through the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, officially started the annual ceremony to replace the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba, a tradition that has been carried out for over a century.

As part of the carefully coordinated process, the complex began by removing the gilded curtain from the Kaaba door, which measures 6.35 meters in length and 3.33 meters in width, as well as dismantling the chandeliers and decorative ornaments, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

This marks the beginning of replacing the old Kiswa with a new one, crafted with exceptional precision and spiritual significance. The new Kiswa is currently en route to the Grand Mosque, accompanied by a comprehensive system of logistical and operational support that follows the highest global standards.

A fully Saudi team of 154 trained craftsmen, each scientifically and practically qualified, is overseeing the process. Their duties include raising the old Kiswa, detaching the gilded elements, and installing the new Kiswa, which comprises 47 intricately embroidered black silk panels featuring 68 Quranic verses stitched with 24-karat gold-plated silver threads. The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms.

To create the new Kiswa, the team used 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread, 60 kilograms of pure silver, 825 kilograms of silk, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton. Additionally, 54 gilded pieces were produced using eight specialized weaving machines within the complex.

The ceremony is a profound expression of the Kingdom's dedication to serving Islam’s holiest sites. The continued renewal of the Kaaba's Kiswa stands as a majestic and enduring symbol of reverence, care, and spiritual legacy upheld by Saudi Arabia for over a century.