Mecca: At the beginning of the new Hijri year, the Holy Kaaba donned its new Kiswa for 1448 AH in a majestic scene that reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's care for the holiest place on earth and showcases Saudi excellence and mastery in producing one of the greatest masterpieces of Islamic art.

According to Saudi Press Agency, replacing the Kiswa was not merely an annual ceremony, but a national success story shaped by 150 Saudi makers and craftsmen, who used their expertise and skills over 11 months to produce 47 pieces of luxurious black silk embroidered with 30 Quranic verses in silver thread plated with 24-karat gold. The Kiswa weighs 1,410 kilograms.

The Kiswa's production went through seven precise stages: desalinating water, washing the silk, weaving, printing, embroidery, assembly, and inspection. It was then transported on a special trailer that preserved this unique Islamic heritage until it arrived at the Mataf courtyard in the Grand Mosque.