Kiswa lowered as Hajis leave

Specialized workers brought down the Kiswa that covers the four sides of the Kaaba on Monday, coinciding with the departure of Haj pilgrims. “The purpose of folding up the Kiswa is to protect its lower part from pilgrims spoiling it or hanging on to it and obstructing the tawaf (circumabulation of Kaaba). It is an annual custom to fold up the lower part of the Kiswa on the Day of Arafat (this year on Oct. 25), and it remains folded up until the departure of pilgrims,” Director General of the Kiswa factory Muhammad Bajouda said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency. He added that President of the Two Holy Mosques’ Affairs Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais supervised the lowering of the Kiswa. From Arab News