For the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s history, women have participated in the annual customary tradition of changing Kiswah (Ghilaf-e-Kaaba) on Sunday, July 7.

Taking to X, the Saudi authority published pictures of female employees of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during their participation in the ceremony.

On Sunday morning, 159 craftsmen changed the Kiswah of the holy Kaaba. The weight of the new Kiswah is 1,350 kilogrammes, and its height is 14 metres.

Eight cranes were used to hoist the Kiswah, sew four corners, and insert lantern designs and motifs onto the new Kiswah of the Kaaba.