Kaaba Kiswah 2026: When Is the Sacred Cover Changed and How Much Gold Thread Is Used? MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia — November 7, 2026 The Holy Kaaba in Makkah received its new Kiswah on June 16, 2026, marking the beginning of the Islamic year 1448 AH. The annual replacement is one of the Grand Mosque's most significant ceremonial traditions. Skilled Saudi craftsmen produce the new covering at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswah. When is the Kaaba's Kiswah changed? Saudi Arabia now replaces the Kiswah on the first day of Muharram, the beginning of the Islamic New Year. In 2026, the replacement took place on June 16, corresponding to 1 Muharram 1448 AH. The operation involves carefully removing the old covering and installing the new black silk fabric around all four sides of the Kaaba, followed by installing its specially embroidered door curtain. How much gold thread is used? One of the Kiswah's most interesting features is its elaborate gold-coloured embroidery. The embroidery uses silver threads plated with 24-karat gold. These threads decorate Quranic inscriptions and Islamic patterns. Saudi Arabia's official report for the 1448 AH Kiswah confirms the use of silver thread plated with 24-karat gold, but does not specify the exact quantity used in kilograms for the 2026 covering. For comparison, the official 2025 Kiswah production report recorded approximately 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread and 60 kilograms of pure silver thread. These are 2025 figures and should not be mistaken for the 2026 material quantities. Five remarkable facts about the 2026 Kiswah 1. Total weight: Approximately 1,410 kilograms. 2. Silk panels: The covering consists of 47 separate pieces. 3. Craftsmanship: Around 150 Saudi artisans participated in its production. 4. Quranic inscriptions: The 2026 covering features 30 Quranic verses. 5. Gold embroidery: Silver threads plated with 24-karat gold are used for the decorative inscriptions. Where is the Kiswah made? The sacred covering is manufactured at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswah in Makkah. Its production involves several stages, including silk preparation, dyeing, weaving, printing, embroidery, assembly and quality inspection. The work requires specialised equipment and detailed hand craftsmanship. A symbol of Islamic heritage For Muslims worldwide, the black Kiswah is one of the most recognisable symbols of the Kaaba and the spiritual significance of Makkah. Its annual replacement reflects a long-standing tradition of preserving and maintaining the sacred structure's covering. Islam Global News Editorial Desk Sources and References - Saudi Press Agency (SPA), June 16, 2026 — Official report on the 1448 AH Kiswah. - Saudi Press Agency (SPA), June 26, 2025 — Technical details and material quantities of the previous Kiswah. - Saudi Press Agency, July 2024 — Kiswah manufacturing process.