1 hour ago
3
ARTICLE AD BOX
As the yearly Hajj pilgrimage began connected Monday, much than 1.5 cardinal Muslims from astir the satellite gathered successful Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the ineffable travel that forms 1 of the 5 pillars of Islam.Hajj is simply a spiritual work that each capable Muslim is required to execute astatine slightest erstwhile successful their lifetime. It takes spot during the Islamic period of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth period of the lunar calendar, opening connected the 8th time and lasting astir 5 to six days depending connected the sighting of the moon, according to Islamic Relief Organisation. Once the crescent satellite is observed, the four-day festival of Eid al-Adha follows.What is the Kaaba?A cardinal portion of the pilgrimage is the Kaaba, located successful Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) successful Mecca. Muslims astir the satellite look the Kaaba during their 5 regular prayers, a absorption known arsenic the qibla, unifying much than 1.9 cardinal Muslims worldwide successful a azygous enactment of worship.Al Jazeera notes that “the Kaaba, meaning cube successful Arabic, is Islam’s holiest tract and is astatine the centre of Masjid al-Haram.” It is believed to person been built by Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his lad Ishmael (Ismail) arsenic a location of worship successful obedience to God’s command.
Islamic contented holds that Prophet Muhammad cleansed the Kaaba of idols aft returning to Mecca successful 630 CE, restoring monotheistic worship. Before Islam, it was a tract of worship for assorted Arabian tribes.The operation measures astir 13.1 metres successful height, 12.8 metres successful magnitude and 11.03 metres successful width, astir equivalent to a four-storey building. It has a golden doorway connected its northeastern side, raised astir 2 metres supra crushed level, and its interior contains 3 woody pillars, marble flooring, lanterns, and decorative textiles.During Hajj, pilgrims execute tawaf, circling the Kaaba counter-clockwise 7 times per circuit arsenic an enactment of worship and unity. Many besides effort to interaction oregon attack the Black Stone acceptable into 1 country of the structure.What is the Kiswah?The Kaaba is covered by the Kiswah, a achromatic silk cloth embroidered with Qur’anic verses and Islamic phrases, including the declaration of faith.Al Jazeera describes it arsenic “the achromatic silk cloth that drapes the Kaaba,” and it is replaced erstwhile a twelvemonth by a specialised squad successful Mecca.The Kiswah weighs astir 670kg of silk, on with astir 120kg of 24-carat golden thread and 100–120kg of metallic thread. It is astir 14 metres precocious and made of 47 stitched panels, produced by much than 240 workers utilizing a multi-stage process involving washing, dyeing, weaving and embroidery.The estimated outgo of producing the Kiswah exceeds 25 cardinal Saudi riyals (about $6.6 million) annually. It is embroidered with Qur’anic verses, the Shahada, and inscriptions related to Hajj and the sanctity of the Kaaba.Historically, the Kiswah has been produced successful Egypt, Syria, Baghdad and Yemen, reflecting changing Islamic regularisation and textile traditions. Its colours person besides varied implicit time, including white, green, reddish and yellow, earlier achromatic became standard.After replacement, sections of the aged Kiswah are preserved, with invaluable embroidered portions often donated to museums oregon authoritative institutions. Other pieces are chopped and distributed to authorities officials, organisations, and overseas embassies accredited successful Saudi Arabia, according to Al Jazeera.More than 1.7 cardinal radical are taking portion successful this year’s Hajj, somewhat higher than successful 2025, contempt the ongoing tensions successful the Middle East.The festival is usually marked with the slaughter of a sheep, with immoderate of the nutrient fixed to the needy.
