Kiswa

Kiswa (The Holy Cloth of Kabaa)
The Kiswa of Kaaba is the elaborately embroidered cloth that is used to cover the Kaaba in the heart of Masjid-al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. For Muslims, the new Kiswa cloth replaces the old one on the ninth of the Islamic calendar month of Du al-Hijjah (the month of Hajj). Islam places great importance on the annual ritual of draping a fresh cloth over the Kaaba. As so, it testifies to the perseverance and belief of millions of Muslims around the world. The Kiswa is the garment that covers the Holy Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam. The Arabic word translates to "pall," which is used to describe the fabric used to cover a coffin. Pure, natural silk is used to weave the kiswah, which is then coloured black. Golden thread is used to embroider the Arabic phrases "La ilaha illa Allah; Muhammad Rasul Allah," "Allahu Jalla Jalaluh," "Subhan Allah wa bihamdih," "Subhan Allah Al-'Azhim," "Ya Hannan," and "Ya Mannan" onto the black silk.