Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques started on Sunday the seasonal maintenance work of the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa (embroidered cover) and the lower part of its structure. The maintenance works would continue for five days in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan.

The maintenance work is being carried out by a team, comprising 14 technicians plus a quality monitor, and a health specialist from the presidency’s agency for the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, Galleries, and Museums, and the presidency’s occupational safety and health unit.

Fahd Al-Jabri, the director of the Grand Mosque’s Maintenance Department, said that the maintenance works began by loosening and tightening the fabric of Kiswa from all sides, installing a plain black cloth under the golden rings in the Shadirvan, which is the slanted structure covering three sides of the Kaaba. This also includes changing the frame of Hajar Al-Aswad (Black Stone) and the frame of the Rukn Al-Yamani, the corner of Kaaba facing slightly southwest from the center of the Kaaba, featuring hand-embroidered with gold-plated silver wires.

Al-Jabri said that the work of cleaning the cover from dust will take place after the completion of the maintenance operations. He noted that the work of monitoring and maintenance of Kiswa continues around the clock, weaving what is necessary and treating any emergency that occurs to the cover with prompt intervention if needed by a highly qualified Saudi technical team who have vast experience of around 30 years.

Al-Jabri pointed out that all the works are being done in full compliance with precautionary measures and preventive protocols to stem the spread of coronavirus. An emergency health specialist is tasked to maintain the safety of everyone and ensure compliance with wearing the mask, using sanitizers, and maintaining a physical distance.