Jeddah, Jul 31 (Arab News): The General Presidency of the Holy Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque lifted the lower part of the Kaaba by three meters on Sunday, and covered the raised part with a piece of white cotton cloth about two meters long from all four sides, in preparation for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

The Director General of the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kaaba Kiswah, Ahmed Al-Mansouri, said the presidency completed the annual custom according to the plans set out for this year’s Hajj season, with the assistance of a team of specialists and technicians.

This procedure is undertaken as a precaution to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the cladding and prevent tampering, as large numbers of pilgrims are keen to touch the dressing on the Kaaba and hold on to its edges, which exposes the garment to damage.

He stressed that some pilgrims’ desire to cut some parts of the Kaaba’s garment or to cover up with clothing is based on mistaken beliefs.

For this reason, the cladding is lifted to a distance of three meters and surrounded by pieces of white cloth, pointing out that the situation will return to normal after the end of the Hajj season.

The Kaaba requires great care and attention throughout the year, which comes as an extension of the care by the guardians of the two holy sites and the Kaaba.

The presidency, represented by the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kaaba Kiswah, maintains the Kaaba throughout the year, which is an extension of the interest of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques preserve the facilities in general, and the Kaaba in particular.