Sheikh Saleh Al-Hussein, the President of the affairs of the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque will hand over on Sunday the new Kiswa (dress) of the Holy Kaaba to Chief of the Kaaba 'Sadins' (servants) Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheibi as customary every year. The function will be attended by a number of Saudi officials as well as diplomats from Arab and Muslim countries. The Kiswa is a unique work of art made of black silk and adorned with phrases in praise of Allah. The height of the SR 20 million Kiswa amounts to 14 meters. It has a belt with a length of 47 meters and a width of 95-cms. The Kiswa is made up of five pieces - four covering each side of the cube-like edifice and the 'burqaa,' (a curtain covering the door of the Kaaba) sewn together once the Kiswa is in place. All gold and silver embroidery on the Kiswa is made by hand. The curtain lining the inside of the Kaaba is hand-woven and thus calls for accuracy and skill as well as genuine artistry. Its making consists of several phases beginning with dyeing the silk green. Verses and designs are drawn and printed onto the green silk for the embroidery that is to follow. Among the most delicate and longest processes is the embroidery, which is stitched in white over the intricate designs and printed verses. The green silk is then spread and draped over the inner walls of the Kaaba as well as on its ceiling. This part of the inner lining is changed every three to five years. A total of 450 kg of pure silk is used to make the Kiswa. The Kiswa is manufactured at a Makkah-based factory where more than 200 of qualified and trained Saudis are working.
