Riyadh: The annual ritual of changing Kiswah (Ghilaf-e-Kaaba) was held on Saturday morning, the first of Muharram, marking the beginning of the new Islamic year of 1444, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
It is usually draped annually on the ninth day of the month of Zul Hijjah, the day pilgrims leave for the plains of Mount Arafat while performing the Haj.
Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais, General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, said last month that the change of date was based on a royal decision.
The new kiswah was installed by a team of about 200 specialised workers and officials.
