The head of the Sudanese Pilgrims Affairs Mission, Abdul Hadi Ahmed Abbas, visited the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Production of the Kaaba Kiswa on Tuesday, accompanied by a delegation.
The group was received by the complex's General Director, Faisal bin Saleh Madani, the complex's Deputy General Director for Public Relations and Media, Hamza bin Abdullah Al-Ayouni, the Director of the Production Department, Ali bin Hassan Maash, and the complex's calligrapher, Mukhtar Alem Shakda.
The delegation was given a presentation on the production, replacement, and repair processes carried out by various teams comprising a total of more than 200 qualified technical specialists from Saudi Arabia.
Abbas praised the Saudi Arabian government for its continuous efforts in serving the two holy mosques and the pilgrims. At the end of the visit, souvenirs and gifts were exchanged.
This year, contrary to tradition, the kiswa was replaced on the night of the new Islamic year, 1 Muharram 1444 AH, or Saturday, July 30.
The kiswa is decorated with verses from the Quran embroidered on the fabric using 120 kg of 21-karat gold thread and 100 kg of silver thread.
The cost of manufacturing the new kiswa, which weighs 850 kg, is estimated at 25 million riyals ($6.65 million), making it the most expensive covering in the world.