Makkah: On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, handed over the Kiswa (cover) of the Kaaba to the custodians of the House of Allah.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the handover minutes were signed by His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and the Chief Custodian of the House of Allah, Abdulmalik bin Taha Al-Shaibi.

The handover ceremony marks the replacement of the Kiswa of the Kaaba on the first of Muharram 1447 AH, after the Authority completed the manufacture of the new Kiswa for this year, which is manufactured at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Kaaba, using natural silk dyed black. The height of the Kiswa is 14 meters, and in the upper third of it there is a belt 95 centimeters wide and 47 meters long, consisting of 16 pieces surrounded by a square shape of Islamic decorations.

The handover ceremony comes within the preparations and stages followed for the replacement of the Kiswa of the Kaaba scheduled for the beginning of the year 1447 AH, which reflects the interest of the leadership-may God protect it-and its care for all stages from the start of manufacturing until the completion of the replacement.