Makkah | BETH

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced the sighting of the crescent moon of Muharram 1448 AH, confirming that Tuesday, June 16, 2026, marks the beginning of the new Hijri year.

Coinciding with the start of the Islamic New Year, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has begun the annual process of replacing the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa, including the removal of its gilded ornaments, decorative elements, and the Kaaba’s door curtain in preparation for installing the new Kiswa.

What Does This Mean?

At first glance, the news may appear to be part of a recurring annual tradition.

In reality, however, it brings together two deeply significant moments in the Islamic world:

• The beginning of a new Hijri year.
• The renewal of the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa.

A tradition that reflects the continuity of care for the Sacred House of Allah across generations.

More Than a Craft

The Kiswa is far more than a cloth replaced each year.

It is a comprehensive process that combines:

• Traditional craftsmanship.
• National expertise.
• Modern technology.
• Exceptional artistic precision.

Its production relies on hundreds of kilograms of natural silk, silver, and gold, passing through seven specialized stages, including dyeing, weaving, laboratory testing, printing, embroidery, hand weaving, and final assembly.

A Renewed Heritage

The new Kiswa carries forward a story that spans more than a century of Saudi care for the Two Holy Mosques.

Through the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, the Kingdom continues to modernize production processes while preserving the Islamic and artistic heritage that has distinguished the Kiswa throughout its history.

BETH Assessment

At a time when nations seek to build and preserve their cultural and civilizational symbols, Makkah witnesses each year a remarkable scene that brings together faith, craftsmanship, and history.

For this reason, replacing the Kiswa is not merely the changing of a cloth.

It is the renewal of one of the most enduring symbols in the Islamic world, marking the beginning of a new Hijri year and carrying new hopes for hundreds of millions of Muslims around the globe.