Assalam Alaikum,
I just found out that our beloved Holy Kaaba was given a new kiswa (covering) yesterday! This takes place on 9th Dhul-Hijjah every year... And guess what? It cost $4.5 million to make one... Each year!
And so, they change the kiswa every year...
I wanted to know why is cost so much, so I youtubed it and watched the documentary... Wow~ They really invest a lot...
Alright, my question is...
Why the extravagance? Can we just use $0.5 million to make one... And use the rest of the money to build more factories somewhere where we can provide means of food and home to million other people?
hmMmmm...
Anyway, this is the article and the video clip... =) Enjoy!
W'salam,
Khadijah C.
By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS
Published: Nov 16, 2010 00:12 Updated: Nov 16, 2010 00:31
MAKKAH: The Holy Kaaba in Makkah was given a new kiswa, or covering, on Monday morning, a tradition that takes place on Dul Hijjah 9 every year.
Officials from the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs took down the old kiswa and replaced it with a new one, which is made from pure silk at Makkah’s Kiswa Factory.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and the Kiswa Factory. The changing of the kiswa is done in a particular way with the new kiswa hung over the old one from the top and then the old one removed from underneath.
The Kiswa Factory was built in Makkah about 74 years ago by the Kingdom’s founder King Abdul Aziz. A new kiswa is made every year by Saudis who work at the factory.
The black kiswa is made with 670 kg of pure silk, and 150 kg of gold and silver thread that is used for sewing the Qur’anic verses. It is 658 square meters in size and consists of 47 pieces, each 14 meters long and 95 cm wide. It costs about SR16.8 million ($4.5 million).
it does take millions or so but after each change, the kiswah is cut up and is sold(rather selectively) for a sum of millions too. the biggest part (the golden one that covers the door) was sold for about a million+ or so the last time i heard.
ReplyDeleteso i guess the money goes back into circulation.
i know one of the big door covering resides here in Malaysia and was on display in Masjid Putrajaya during a maulid some years ago.
AssalamAlaikum,
ReplyDeleteah hah! That's something new!
Jazakallah Khair for sharing! =)
W'salam,
Khadijah C.