هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْجَبَّارُ ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

The Holy Qur’an, chapter Al-Hashr (59:23)

The sanctity of the Ka‘bah is physically expressed through the simplicity and scale of its cuboid structure, emphasized by its central position within a spacious, unencumbered circular esplanade. Its sanctity is further enhanced by an envelope of drapery that combines sedate dignity with an eloquent display of gold and silver-embroidered inscriptions.

This drapery (kiswah) is replaced annually, with the old set being divided and distributed to the pious. In an unprecedented act, it was agreed that the kiswah removed on Muharram 1, 1446 AH/July 7, 2024 CE would be preserved intact and displayed in its entirety at this Biennale. This offers us all the opportunity to appreciate its majesty and magnificence, and to reflect on the sanctity of the Ka‘bah it once adorned.