Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, on behalf of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, washed the Holy Ka'ba on Saturday. A number of Muslim scholars, government officials, dignitaries and diplomats attended the event, which takes place twice a year on the 15th of Shabaan (the month preceding the fasting month of Ramadan) and in mid-Muharram (the month after Dhul Hijjah when Muslims perform Haj). Upon arrival at the Grand Mosque, Prince Khaled was received by President General for the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Affairs Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdulrahman Al-Hussayyen and Vice President for the Grand Mosque Affairs Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Khuzaim. The washing ceremony was attended by Sudan's President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir; the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu; Minister of Haj Dr. Fuad Bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsi; ministers; scholars; members of the Islamic diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and a group of citizens. The House of God is given a new Kiswa (covering) on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah when pilgrims proceed to Arafat for the main event of the Haj. The washing ritual of the Ka'ba begins with prayers inside the cubical structure. The interior walls are then cleaned with rose, oud and musk perfumes using white cloth. Zamzam water mixed with rose perfume is splashed on the floor and then wiped with bare hands and palm leaves. Before entering the Ka'ba to do the washing, Prince Khaled circumambulated the cubical structure seven times (Tawaf). He was then given the key to the Ka'ba in a bag made of green velvet. The key was presented to him by a member of the Bani Shayba who are the custodians of the key. The washing ceremony began after the guests exited. The marble floor and the walls were washed with Zamzam water mixed with rose perfume. After the cleaning, the floor and the walls were dried again with white cloth and tissues. The walls were then perfumed using large quantities of oud and rose perfume. The Ka'ba was then incensed. The Ka'ba is 14 meters high from the eastern side, 12.11 meters from the western and southern sides, and 11.28 meters from the northern side. Its inside floor is laid with colored marble. Its ceilings are supported by three wooden columns, each with a diameter of 44 cm. The structure has two ceilings, a lower one and an upper one. Its inside walls are covered with curtains made of green velvet that are changed once every three years. The top of the upper roof has a vent, which is 127 cm long and 104 cm wide to allow sunlight to enter. This vent is covered with strengthened glass and is opened during the washing ceremony. __
