The Kiswa Factory is a special and sacred place where the Kiswa, also known as the Ghilaf-e-Kaaba, is made. The Ghilaf-e-Kaaba is the beautiful black cloth that is used to cover the Holy Kaaba. It adds to the honor, beauty, and greatness of the Kaaba and makes its appearance even more majestic.
Muslims from all over the world wish to see with their own eyes how this blessed Kiswa is made. It is not just a piece of cloth, but something full of respect, love, and faith. Many people have already visited this sacred place, and many others still wonder, “Can we visit the Kiswa Factory?”
The answer is yes, you can also visit the Al kiswah Factory Tour. However, it is important to know that you must get permission in advance. You cannot just go there on your own at any time. Prior approval is required before planning your visit.
Visiting the Kiswa Factory During Ramadan
Kiswa Factory is closed during Ramadan, so you cannot visit it at that time. You can visit the factory before or after Ramadan, but you must book your visit in advance. You cannot go there on your own without prior permission.
Let’s learn more about it in this Alkiswah tours blog and explore how this sacred cloth is prepared.
Kiswa Factory Location and History
The Kiswa Factory is located in the Umm Al-Joud area of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, about 10 to 12 kilometers from the Haram. You can easily reach it by car or taxi, as walking there can be difficult. Vehicles like cars or taxis are the best way to go.
The history of the Kiswa is very old. There was a time when the Kiswa used to be made outside Saudi Arabia. Because of this, the journey was long, and sometimes the cloth would get damaged. In the past, camels or ships were used to transport it to Makkah, and during the long journey, the fabric would sometimes tear or get spoiled.
Alhamdulillah, today the entire Kiswa is prepared in Saudi Arabia. The Kiswa is made from start to finish in a factory in Saudi Arabia. The Kiswa is fully prepared here, from weaving the fabric to the final stitching. The first factory that made the Kiswa in Saudi Arabia was started in 1927. This made it a lot easier and safer to make the Kiswa in Saudi Arabia.
Modernization of the Kiswa Factory
The Kiswa Factory was very small when it first started. Workers completed every step using only their hands. Over time, the Kiswa Factory has changed, and now machines help with a lot of the work. However, the Kiswa still needs people to stitch the gold threads by hand. With machines helping, tasks that took time can now be done quickly. This makes the work a lot simpler. Does not take as long.
Steps of Making the Kiswa
The Kiswa is made in steps. Skilled people work day and night to finish each step. They make sure every part of the Kiswa is beautiful and complete. The Kiswa is made from silk. From dyeing the silk to stitching the words of the Quran, every step is done carefully.
1. Coloring the Fabric
First, the silk is dyed black. Then, long pieces of fabric are made. These pieces are part of the Kiswa.
2. Embroidery
Next, the words of the Qur’an are printed on the fabric. Then skilled people stitch these words using gold and silver threads. This is a hard and detailed process.
3. Sewing
When all the pieces are ready, they are sewn together. The final Kiswa is made to fit the Kaaba
What Happens to the Old Kiswa
When the new Kiswa is put on the Kaaba, the old Kiswa is cut into pieces carefully. These pieces of the Kiswa are given to different groups and important people. It is not allowed to sell the Kiswa. Kiswa is treated with respect.
How to Visit the Kiswa Factory
As mentioned earlier, you cannot visit the Kiswa Factory anytime you want. You must get permission in advance. Once your permission is confirmed, you can visit the factory.
The factory is open for visitors from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Thursday.
If you want to visit the Kiswa Factory, contact AlKiswah Tours today to plan your visit and make the booking easy and smooth.
Rules for Visiting the Kiswa Factory
There are some important rules to follow when visiting the Kiswa Factory:
- You cannot take videos or pictures inside the factory.
- You must be careful and respectful at all times. Avoid making noise or disturbing others.
- Do not bring very small children, as they can create noise and disturb the environment.
- It is best to visit with a tour guide so you can see as much as possible within the visit time, and also learn about the history of the Kiswa.
The factory is very large, and usually visitors are given about one hour to complete their tour. Following these rules ensures a smooth and respectful visit.
Note:
If you need a personal tour guide due to language barriers or for better guidance during your visit, AlKiswah Tours can provide a private tour guide for you.
Kiswa Factory Entry Fee
Many people wonder whether there is any fee to visit the Kiswa Factory. We want to clarify that there is no fee. Entry to the Kiswa Factory is completely free of cost for all visitors.
Visiting the Kiswa Factory During Hajj or Umrah
You can visit the Kiswa Factory during Hajj or Umrah, but you must book your visit in advance. One important thing to note is that you cannot visit the factory during Ramadan. At other times, you can visit according to your schedule.
AlKiswah Tours provides full support and services for your visit, so you can contact us to book your tour and make the process easy and convenient.
