Egyptian workshop making replica Kiswas - in pictures

  • The family of Egyptian embroiderer Ahmed El Kassabgy, right, used to produce the kiswa, the cloth used to cover the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. All photos: AFP
    The family of Egyptian embroiderer Ahmed El Kassabgy, right, used to produce the kiswa, the cloth used to cover the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. All photos: AFP
  • His family's creations would be sent aboard a camel caravan to Islam's holiest site in western Saudi Arabia, towards which Muslims across the world turn to pray.
    His family's creations would be sent aboard a camel caravan to Islam's holiest site in western Saudi Arabia, towards which Muslims across the world turn to pray.
  • Now the family sews verses from the Quran on replicas of the kiswa that they sell as souvenirs to tourists visiting the historic district of Al Hussein in Cairo.
    Now the family sews verses from the Quran on replicas of the kiswa that they sell as souvenirs to tourists visiting the historic district of Al Hussein in Cairo.
  • From the 13th century, Egyptian artisans made the giant cloth in sections, which authorities transported to Makkah.
    From the 13th century, Egyptian artisans made the giant cloth in sections, which authorities transported to Makkah.
  • Celebrations would mark the processions through cities, flanked by guards and clerics as Egyptians sprinkled rosewater from balconies above.
    Celebrations would mark the processions through cities, flanked by guards and clerics as Egyptians sprinkled rosewater from balconies above.
  • Mr El Kassabgy said 10 craftsmen would work on the kiswa for an entire year.
    Mr El Kassabgy said 10 craftsmen would work on the kiswa for an entire year.
  • His grandfather, Othman Abdelhamid, was the last to supervise a fully Egyptian-made kiswa in 1926.
    His grandfather, Othman Abdelhamid, was the last to supervise a fully Egyptian-made kiswa in 1926.
  • From 1927, manufacturing began to move to Makkah in Saudi Arabia, which would fully take over production of the kiswa in 1962.
    From 1927, manufacturing began to move to Makkah in Saudi Arabia, which would fully take over production of the kiswa in 1962.
  • Despite this, Mr El Kassabgy says he has stayed loyal to techniques learnt as a child. 'It is on us to uphold the craft the same way we learnt it, so it is authentic to the legacy we inherited,' he says.
    Despite this, Mr El Kassabgy says he has stayed loyal to techniques learnt as a child. 'It is on us to uphold the craft the same way we learnt it, so it is authentic to the legacy we inherited,' he says.