The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques started on Sunday the seasonal maintenance works of the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa (embroidered cover) and the lower part of its structure. The maintenance works would continue for five days in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan.
The body has also issued guidelines for entry permit into specific areas by worshippers during the holy month.
According to Haramain, the Umrah and Prayer in Masjid Al Haram, Makkah during Ramadan will only be allowed for “Immune” people against Covid-19 These are those who have received atleast one dose of COVID-19 Vaccine and 14 days have passed.
Others are those who contracted and have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. Apart from the Kaabah in Makkah, the Masjid Nabawiyy and the precinct of Rawdha (where the Prophet peace be upon him was buried) will also come under above restrictions.
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Meanwhile, maintenance works are being carried out by a team, comprising of 14 technicians plus a quality monitor and a health specialist from the presidency’s agency for the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, Galleries and Museums, and the presidency’s occupational safety and health unit.
Fahd Al-Jabri, director of the Grand Mosque’s Maintenance Department, told newsmen that the maintenance works began by tightening the fabric of Kiswa from all sides, installing a plain black cloth under the golden rings in the Shadirvan, which is the slanted structure covering three sides of the Kaaba.
This also includes changing the frame of Hajar Al-Aswad (Black Stone) and the frame of the Rukn Al-Yamani, the corner of Kaaba facing slightly southwest from the center of the Kaaba, featuring hand-embroidered with gold-plated silver wires.
Al-Jabri said that the work of cleaning the cover from dust will take place after the completion of the maintenance operations. He noted that the work of monitoring and maintenance of Kiswa continues around the clock, weaving what is necessary and treating any emergency that occurs to the cover with prompt intervention if needed by a highly qualified Saudi technical team who have vast experience of around 30 years.
Al-Jabri pointed out that all the works are being done in full compliance with precautionary measures and preventive protocols to stem the spread of coronavirus. An emergency health specialist is tasked to maintain the safety of everyone and ensure compliance with wearing the mask, using sanitizers, and maintaining a physical distance.
