The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has said that seven types of premium fabric are used in crafting the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan Correspondent Asad Ullah Khan in Makkah today, the Director of Public Relations of the King Abdulaziz Complex said that the finest and highest-quality material is carefully selected for use at the Kiswa Factory.

He said the selected fabrics include plain green silk, patterned and plain black silk, light beige cotton lining fabric, plain red silk, plain white cotton fabric, and patterned green silk.

The Director of Public Relations added that the patterned green silk, in particular, is used for the inner covering of the Kaaba and for the covering of the Prophet’s Chamber in Madinah.

He said the covering known as the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba is replaced every year on the 1st of Muharram.

He said that after removal, the old Kiswa is cut into pieces and distributed among visiting dignitaries and Islamic organizations.

The Director of Public Relations King Abdulaziz Complex said the Kiswa takes almost ten months to complete at a cost of 25 million Saudi Riyals.

He said the cloth is made from high-quality silk imported from Germany and Italy, embroidered with Quranic verses using gold and silver threads.