Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Diriyah Biennale Foundation announced on Wednesday that the upcoming Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will witness the first-ever display of the entire kiswah of the Holy Kaaba outside the Makkah city. Titled "And all that is in between", the second edition of the biennale will take place from January 25 to May 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

The display of the kiswah – the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba – will coincide with the first Hijri centenary of the establishment of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba (King Abdulaziz Complex) in Saudi Arabia, which has had the honor of manufacturing the kiswah since 1346 AH (1927).

A new Kiswah is created every year. The kiswah displayed at this year’s edition is the one that adorned the Holy Kaaba last year. The Kiswah and its unique inscriptions and ornamentations are considered to be the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts. Reflecting the importance and value that the kiswah of the Holy Kaaba holds in the lives of Muslims worldwide, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation is proud to be able to highlight and educate people about this significant artifact.

By exhibiting the kiswah, the biennale will present a unique display that introduces the artifact's historical development and its associated craftsmanship. It would enable visitors to admire its intricate weaving and embroidery, featuring silk, gold, and silver threads.

In addition to the kiswah, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will display a remarkable collection of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks. This exhibition aims to inspire visitors to contemplate the richness of Islamic civilization and its creative arts, continuing the success of the 2023 inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale, titled "Awwal Bait" (First House), which attracted more than 600,000 visitors, becoming the world's second most–visited Biennale.

"With the display of the kiswah as a central element of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation seeks to strengthen pride in Islamic cultural heritage and create an exceptional opportunity for public engagement with a significant aspect of Islamic art," the foundation said in a press release.

It added that the exhibition will emphasize Saudi Arabia's central role in serving Islam and Muslims, showcasing the exceptional capabilities and craftsmanship of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba. This presentation aligns with the Kingdom’s custodianship of the Two Holy Mosques and the country’s Vision 2030 objectives of enriching the religious and cultural experiences of pilgrims and preserving the Kingdom's Islamic heritage.

After the conclusion of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in May, the Kiswa will return to the care of the Kiswah Factory.