![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZK3VBVWQGZHTFM2PVV46ZYO5P4.jpg?smart=true&auth=92dea2fd6a46c6fa21b566aa22e53fa2ac09231fc1b9b05a872970ef3898e1a1&width=400&height=225)
Last year, nearly 1.8 million Muslims from around the world performed Hajj, marking a return to pre-Covid pandemic levels in terms of numbers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R5ZTN3B4MNDIHGGG6TA36O2BOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f6673c85cdd14b23261f470832c67814a1412a5e9a3a918cb527513ca660be6&width=400&height=225)
The raising of the lower part of the kiswa is a customary procedure performed annually by Saudi authorities in the run-up to Hajj. All photos: SPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGHFILKJOJDNNDNZSBWBLL7HAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e61b677c6202cd22b5b63f682ed0ce6e694b5bdece700cdd81047c287382b68&width=400&height=225)
The holy Kaaba, which lies in the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is draped in a black silk cloth known as the kiswa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NBSXXQKOTJD6BBZAJM6N4UCNVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=43e889a14d9938e50c81a931fae50a2cafc97e3b52ebb66e86465bc7c874869a&width=400&height=225)
Thirty-six specialised personnel raised the kiswa with the aid of 10 cranes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DYOTJXNC5BBYHP7G4Z7FNSPD6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7331cd3f3c47dbf8651911c5a5f85b71b676f320613aefb436fe35ca256b253e&width=400&height=225)
The kiswa is removed and replaced on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZK3VBVWQGZHTFM2PVV46ZYO5P4.jpg?smart=true&auth=92dea2fd6a46c6fa21b566aa22e53fa2ac09231fc1b9b05a872970ef3898e1a1&width=400&height=225)
Last year, nearly 1.8 million Muslims from around the world performed Hajj, marking a return to pre-Covid pandemic levels in terms of numbers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R5ZTN3B4MNDIHGGG6TA36O2BOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f6673c85cdd14b23261f470832c67814a1412a5e9a3a918cb527513ca660be6&width=400&height=225)
The raising of the lower part of the kiswa is a customary procedure performed annually by Saudi authorities in the run-up to Hajj. All photos: SPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGHFILKJOJDNNDNZSBWBLL7HAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e61b677c6202cd22b5b63f682ed0ce6e694b5bdece700cdd81047c287382b68&width=400&height=225)
The holy Kaaba, which lies in the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is draped in a black silk cloth known as the kiswa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NBSXXQKOTJD6BBZAJM6N4UCNVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=43e889a14d9938e50c81a931fae50a2cafc97e3b52ebb66e86465bc7c874869a&width=400&height=225)
Thirty-six specialised personnel raised the kiswa with the aid of 10 cranes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DYOTJXNC5BBYHP7G4Z7FNSPD6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7331cd3f3c47dbf8651911c5a5f85b71b676f320613aefb436fe35ca256b253e&width=400&height=225)
The kiswa is removed and replaced on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZK3VBVWQGZHTFM2PVV46ZYO5P4.jpg?smart=true&auth=92dea2fd6a46c6fa21b566aa22e53fa2ac09231fc1b9b05a872970ef3898e1a1&width=400&height=225)
Last year, nearly 1.8 million Muslims from around the world performed Hajj, marking a return to pre-Covid pandemic levels in terms of numbers
Saudi authorities raise lower part of Kaaba’s kiswa before Hajj
The complete changing of the cloth occurs on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah, the Day of Arafah
![Ismaeel Naar](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F92ce8841-54b5-4791-8995-383c144bda43.png?smart=true&auth=8b2ce106d7bc8dc9204582232db8c39f3fbe601a99779c58473b1a10157dab8b&width=70&height=70)
Ismaeel Naar
23 May, 2024
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