Learn how 'Kiswat Al Ka'aba' has been made in Egypt from 1942

Cairo – 31 August, 2017: “Kiswat Al Ka'aba” is the texture that covers the Kaaba (a holy place for Muslims) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is changed with a new one annually on the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Egypt used to manufacture and send the “Kiswat Al Ka'aba” to Saudi Arabia for many years until the era of former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser.

At the time, a great ceremony was held in Egypt before sending the “Kiswat Al Ka'aba”, which was hand made for over a whole year by Egyptian craftsmen. The “Kiswat Al Ka'aba” was carried by camels and traversed streets among people’s joy and chants. A big delegation protected the caravan which was guarded by Egyptian soldiers as they traveled with the “kiswat Al Ka'aba” together with Egyptians going to perform Hajj (a worship of Muslims) until they delivered it to Mecca.

In this video, we interview Ahmed Shawky, the grandchild of Othman Abdel Hamid, the “Kiswat Al Ka'aba” department head in Egypt (1924–35). Shawky learned the skill and profession from his father and grandfather. He still does the same job, and he will tell us the secrets, history and current state of the skill.




Meet the grandchild of the “Kiswat Al Ka'aba” department head in Egypt (1924–1935), who will tell us the secrets of that industry.