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| Arabic | كِسْوَة الكَعْبَة |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | KIS-wah |
| Etymology | From the Arabic root ك-س-و (k-s-w), meaning to clothe or to cover. Kiswah literally means 'covering' or 'garment,' referring specifically to the cloth that 'dresses' the Kaaba. |
Kiswah(كِسْوَة الكَعْبَة) The Kiswah is the ornate black silk cloth that drapes the Kaaba in Makkah. Embroidered with Quranic verses in gold thread, it is replaced annually and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Islam.
كِسْوَة الكَعْبَة
The Kiswah has been a tradition since pre-Islamic times, with various rulers and civilizations contributing to its creation. The current form — a black silk cloth with a gold-embroidered belt (Hizam) running around the upper third — was standardized under the Abbasid caliphate. The Kiswah weighs approximately 670 kilograms, uses about 670 kg of raw silk dyed black, and features 120 kg of gold thread and 25 kg of silver thread for the calligraphy. The belt features Quranic verses and Islamic declarations woven in Thuluth script. The Kaaba door curtain (Bab al-Kaaba drape) is also part of the Kiswah and is embroidered separately. The Kiswah is manufactured at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Manufacturing of the Kiswah in Makkah. Each year on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (the Day of Arafat), the old Kiswah is removed and the new one is installed. Pieces of the old Kiswah are cut and distributed as gifts to dignitaries, institutions, and museums worldwide, and are highly prized as blessed artifacts.
From the Arabic root ك-س-و (k-s-w), meaning to clothe or to cover. Kiswah literally means 'covering' or 'garment,' referring specifically to the cloth that 'dresses' the Kaaba.
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