MECCA, Nov 16 (Bernama) — The Kaa’bah was adorned with a new Kiswa (black cloth) at an annually-held ceremony here Monday, by staff of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

According to a local newspaper today, the Saudi Gazette, the ceremony involving the new 14-metre high covering with silk and pure gold-trim was broadcast live.

It costs SR20 million to produce a Kiswa at a specially-designed factory.

The Kiswa includes the curtain on the door of the Kaa’bah, of wrought silk, six-and-a-half metre high and three metres wide, decorated with verses and Islamic embroidery of silver wire and gold.

The cladding consists of five connected pieces covering each of the sides of the Kaa’bah. The fifth piece is the curtain.

— BERNAMA