Mecca: The production of the Holy Kaaba's Kiswa, the sacred covering, involves a detailed process consisting of seven distinct stages. This elaborate procedure culminates in the official installation of the Kiswa on the first of Muharram each year, beginning with an essential water desalination process to prepare water for washing and dyeing the silk.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the process continues with a washing and dyeing stage designed to remove the wax coating from the silk, followed by dyeing it black for the exterior Kiswa and green for the inner Kiswa and the Prophet's Chamber. The subsequent stage involves automated weaving, where silk threads are meticulously transformed into warp spools, each containing over 9,900 threads per meter.

In the next stage, Quranic verses and Islamic motifs are applied to the plain silk fabric through a silkscreen printing technique, ensuring geometric precision. The assembly and sewing stage follows, where the Kiswa panels are joined, and the gilded pieces are attached. Embroidery of these sections uses pure silver and gold-plated silver threads, with cotton threads used to pad the verses and motifs, creating a raised, three-dimensional effect.

The final stage is rigorous quality control, ensuring all components meet strict specifications. The King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa states that producing a single Kiswa requires approximately 825 kilograms of raw silk, 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver wire, 60 kilograms of pure silver, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton.