Live presentation of the covering of the Holy Kaaba using original pieces of the Kiswah

Abu Dhabi - Craftsmen from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswah performed a live display of the decoration of the silk covering of the Holy Kaaba, the Kiswah, which will be used during the next Hajj season. The special demonstration was held at the Hajj: Memories of a Journey exhibition at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC), and was part of a series of workshops to demonstrate the live embroidery. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the exhibition has been organised by SZGMC, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, and is now open to the public until 19th March 2018.

The special presentation by skilled craftsmen demonstrated the embroidery of the Kiswah, using original silk pieces of cladding. This ornate protective covering is replaced on the eve of the day of ‘Arafah’ each year, corresponding to the 9th of Dhul Hijjah every year. The cloth used by the Kiswah craftsmen included pieces of silk in black, a colour most commonly associated with the Kaaba, inscribed with Quranic verses embroidered with silver and gold threads. The cloth was further decorated with 21 interlaced patterns on all four sides and adorned with religious invocations and praises to the Almighty God across the top, as well as additional inscriptions and decorations that cover the cladding from all sides.

The craftsmen presented a live presentation to visitors to the exhibition, demonstrating how to sew and embellish the patterns and decorations that characterise the actual material from which the Kiswah is made and the embroidery that is used on it. The workers typically require a variety of materials including pieces of silk cloths, cotton, silver, gold and black dye. The production and embroidery of the cloth takes 8 to 9 months, using 670kg of silk, 100kg of gold-plated thread and 120kg of silver thread, measuring a total of 14 metres in height and 655 metres in area.

Zamzam water bottles were also distributed to visitors, along with souvenirs, prints and books on the history of The King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswah.

The Complex is not only solely dedicated to overseeing the weaving of the Kiswah, but also takes care of the Kaaba around the clock through a specially deployed unit of tailors inside the Grand Mosque. The complex also produces official flags and government logos for participation in events and exhibitions inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For more information, follow the event via the hashtag #HajjExhibition on Twitter and @szgmc_ae on Instagram. For further details, please visit www.szgmc.ae or call 02 4191919.

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SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE CENTER
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, is sponsored and monitored by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and was established to be the Center of the cultural and intellectual movement focused around the Mosque.  Its vision and mission was created from the cultural and national values preserved and nurtured by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God rest his soul). These cultural values are still deeply-rooted in the consciousness of the people and are an extension of the national identity inspired by the teachings of the Nation’s religion.

http://www.szgmc.ae/en/  

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE & TOURISM
The Department of Culture & Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike.  The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment.  Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.  The Department of Culture & Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage.  A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.  

© Press Release 2017