Saudi Arabia Replaces Kaaba Kiswah, Marking Start of Islamic New Year 1448 H

Saudi Arabia replaced the Kiswah, the cloth covering the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, last night local time. The replacement marks the start of the new Islamic year 1448 H.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Tuesday (16/6/2026), the Saudi Supreme Court designated 16 June 2026 as 1 Muharram 1448 Hijri. In its announcement, the Supreme Court prayed for the continued success of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and for Muslims worldwide to be granted guidance in unity and solidarity.

Saudi Arabia also conducted the Kiswah replacement ceremony. The replacement of the Kiswah is routinely held at the beginning of the new Hijri year.

“The replacement of the Kiswah is not merely an annual ceremony, but a national success story shaped by 150 Saudi makers and craftsmen, who use their expertise and skills over 11 months to produce 47 pieces of luxurious black silk embroidered with 30 Quranic verses in silver thread coated with 24-carat gold. The Kiswah weighs 1,410 kilograms,” the SPA report stated.

The production of the Kiswah is carried out in seven stages. Production begins with water distillation, silk washing, weaving, printing, embroidery, assembly, and inspection. The completed Kiswah cloth is transported by a special trailer until it arrives at the mataf courtyard in the Grand Mosque.

In video footage observed, the Kiswah cloth was brought into the mosque under the escort of Saudi police and soldiers. The old Kiswah was then removed from each side of the Kaaba and replaced with the new Kiswah.