What makes Kaaba’s Kiswah cost over $6 million?

The annual cost of producing the new cover (Kiswah) for the Holy Kaaba reached SAR 25 million (approximately USD 6.7 million), according to Ahmed Al-Suwaihri, Director of Public Relations and Media at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswah of the Kaaba.

Speaking Tuesday during a tour of the Kiswah factory by a delegation of Arab and international news agencies and broadcasters, Al-Suwaihri said the cover is made with high-quality gold threads imported from Germany, along with premium silk sourced from Italy.

The intricate work takes nearly 10 months to complete and the Kiswah is replaced once a year on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, a day before the Hajj pilgrimage reaches its peak.

Al-Suwaihri said that the materials used in the Kiswah are of the highest quality and are resistant to harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures.

He explained that the tradition of producing the Kiswah in Saudi Arabia has continued for more than a century, with a total of 159 craftsmen contributing to the process at the King Abdulaziz Complex. These artisans are responsible for weaving the gold and silver threads that adorn the sacred cloth.

The Kaaba cover includes five lanterns, with the top one bearing the phrase “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great), which marks the starting point for the Tawaf ritual (circumambulation). It also contains four embroidered "Surat Al-Ikhlas" panels, 7,400 threads, and 54 gold-woven calligraphy panels.

During the visit, guests viewed a documentary showcasing the Kiswah’s production stages; from testing the silk for softness and strength, to washing and dyeing it black.

The dyed silk is then spun into nine fine, durable threads that are resistant to environmental stressors and high temperatures.