Mecca: Each year, Muslims around the world turn their attention to the Holy Kaaba as it is adorned with its new Kiswa (cover), in a scene that reflects meticulous care and a long-standing legacy of mastery and craftsmanship.

According to Saudi Press Agency, while the Kiswa may appear at first glance to be a single, seamless garment, it is in fact a sophisticated artistic and engineering work crafted from seven different types of fabric, each serving a specific function that contributes to its structure, beauty, and durability, resulting in a final form befitting the holiest site in Islam.

The Kiswa's construction begins with its principal fabric - black silk - which forms its outer covering and gives it its globally recognized appearance. Alongside it is embossed black silk, on which the Kiswa's distinctive Islamic inscriptions and decorative motifs are woven, giving it its unique aesthetic character.

On the inside, off-white cotton is used as an inner lining, adding strength and durability to the garment, while white cotton serves as an additional lining to support various parts of the Kiswa and enhance its structural integrity. Red silk is incorporated into certain decorative elements and specialized components associated with the Kiswa, while green silk is used behind the curtain of the Holy Kaaba's door. Embossed green silk, meanwhile, is reserved for the Kaaba's inner covering, reflecting the diversity of uses and the precision with which materials are selected for each specific purpose.

This diversity of fabrics highlights the level of care devoted to the production of the Kiswa, which extends beyond aesthetics to encompass precise technical and engineering requirements that ensure the garment's quality, durability, and its ability to retain its appearance throughout the year. These seven types of fabric, brought together in a single integrated process, reflect the distinctive excellence of the Kiswa's production, making it one of the most precise and prominent Islamic crafts. It stands as a testament to the continuous care given to the Holy Kaaba, where material quality meets meticulous execution to produce the most distinguished covering in the world.