MAKKAH — Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, will hand over the kiswa (covering of the Holy Kaaba) to the senior keeper of the holy house on Sept. 14 (Dhul Hijjah 1). The annual ceremony will be held at the kiswa factory in Umm Al-Joud district of Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Muhammad Bajoudah, director general of the factory, said the Kaaba will be adorned with the new kiswa on Arafat Day (Dhul Hijjah 9) when all pilgrims gather at the plains of Arafat, marking the climax of the annual pilgrimage. Al-Sudais said more than 240 craftsmen and employees had been working throughout the year to make the kiswa, which cost SR22 million. Around 700 kilograms of pure natural silk dyed in black and 120 kilos of silver and golden threads are being used for it.
