Government | Monday 13 August, 2018 3:38 am |

The Kiswa consists of five pieces; four of them cover the four sides of Kaaba, while the fifth one is hung as a curtain above the door of Kaaba.

Preparing the Kiswa takes several months and needs large amounts of precious metals and pure silk. Around 170 craftsmen are involved in the process, which passes through various stages until the Kiswa is ready. The Kiswa is usually placed on the Kaaba on the day of Arafat.

On Sunday, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal handed over the new Kiswa to the to the senior caretaker of the Kaaba, Saleh bin Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi.

Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz and Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the chief of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, were also present on the occasion.