Mecca: The cost of producing this year's Kiswa, the ceremonial cloth that adorns the holy Kaaba, reached SAR 25 million, as revealed by Ahmed Al-Suweihri, Director of Public Relations and Media at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa.
According to Jordan News Agency, during a visit by a media delegation representing several Arab and international news agencies to the Kiswa factory, Al-Suweihri explained that the Kiswa is crafted from high-quality gold threads imported from Germany and the finest silk imported from Italy. The production process spans approximately 10 months and is completed annually on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Al-Suweihri emphasized the exceptional quality of the threads and fabric, which are designed to endure harsh weather conditions and high temperatures. He provided the visiting journalists with an overview of the manufacturing stages of the Kiswa, which has been produced in Saudi Arabia for over a century. A team of 159 craftsmen is involved in weaving the gold and silver threads at the King Abdulaziz Complex.
The design of the Kaaba includes five lanterns, with the uppermost bearing the inscription "Allahu Akbar," marking the starting point of circumambulation (tawaf). It also features four panels inscribed with "Al-Samad" (a name of God), 7,400 threads, and 54 gilded textiles.
The visit also featured the screening of a documentary film that detailed the silk testing stages for softness and durability before dyeing. This was followed by the washing and dyeing phases, where white silk is dyed black. The dyed threads are then dried and transformed into nine strong, weather-resistant strands known for their softness and durability.