MAKKAH: The annual ceremony to change Ghilaf-e-Kaaba (Kiswa) was held today at the Grand Mosque where 1.5 million Muslims have gathered to perform Hajj.
A Kiswa consumes about 700 kg of silk and 120 kg of golden and silver threads. It consists of 47 pieces of cloth, and each piece is 14 meters long and 101cm wide. The Kiswa is wrapped around the Kaaba and fixed to the ground with copper rings.
The new Ghilaf-e-Kaaba is worth Rs 22,000,000. Decorated with verses of the Holy Quran, the Kiswa has a height of 14 meter and length of 47 meter.
The Kiswa is changed on 9th Zilhaj every year on the day of Arafat when the pilgrims assemble in Arafat. The ceremony starts after Fajr prayer and continues until Asr prayer.
The Kiswa factory employs 240 people in different departments. It has the largest computerized tailoring machine in the world with a length of 16 meters. Skilled craftsmen use a combination of the latest technology, ancient looms and artistic calligraphy to produce a work of exotic beauty.
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