Saudi Arabian craftsmen are working round the clock to finish Kiswah, the silk covering of the holy Ka’aba, before the beginning of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

According to Saudi media reports, more than 150 tailors have been working for several weeks to finish the embroideries on the 45x14-meter Kiswah.

Over 700kg of silk have been used to make the piece. It will be embellished with 120kg of gold threads and 25kg of silver threads.

Manufactured in a special factory, the Kiswah costs between 4 and 5 million dollars.

Kiswah is draped annually on the 9th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah on the Islamic calendar. The time coincides with the day Muslim pilgrims leave for the plains of Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage.

It covers the Ka’aba, the most sacred Islamic site, which attracts millions of Muslims to Mecca every year for the Hajj pilgrimage. All Muslims around the world turn to Ka’aba during their daily prayers.

Every year, the old Kiswa is removed, cut into small pieces, and given to individuals such as visiting foreign Muslim dignitaries as well as organizations.

In the past, the Kiswah was divided and distributed among the families known as the Ka’aba curtain holders. Later, the Saudi government decided to send the Kiswah to different Muslim countries as a gift.