Millions on Wednesday evening watched the draping of the new Kiswa over the Kaaba in Makkah, in accordance with the annual Hajj tradition.
Hisham Aladdin, the general manager of the Kaaba Kiswa factory, said that 40 artisans have taken upon themselves the installation of the new Kiswa while taking into account social distancing and health measures.
Before attempting to change the Kiswa of the Kaaba, the artisans were tested for the coronavirus and got a clearance.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Aladdin revealed that the new Kiswa weighs 1,300 kilograms.
The Kiswa was transferred from the King Abdul Aziz Complex on Wednesday evening.
The Kiswa is made of natural silk that is dyed black. It is also six and a half meters high and three meters and a half wide.
It is adorned with Quranic verses and Islamic motifs, and with a prominent embroidery covered with silver wires coated with gold.
The Kiswa consists of five pieces, each piece covers one side of the Kaaba, and the fifth piece is the curtain that is placed on the door of the Kaaba, and these pieces are then tied to each other.
