Rare Kaaba interior coverings showcased at Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah

Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Islamic Arts Biennale showcasing two rare masterpieces from the Kaaba’s interior kiswa, offering a remarkable window into the rich heritage of Islamic craftsmanship and its deep spiritual symbolism.

The Biennale currently underway at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah under the theme “And all that is in between”.

Unlike the well-known exterior kiswa woven, these two inner coverings once adorned the columns and walls inside the Holy Kaaba.

They are part of a centuries-old tradition in which the interior was also draped with elaborately designed textiles, particularly during the accession of new rulers.

From the 10th century AH (16th century AD), the interior kiswa extended beyond the walls to include the Kaaba’s three columns. Ottoman records refer to them as “Hannan, Mannan, Dayyan,” names that became part of the decorative tradition in later centuries.

The two displayed coverings are noted for their unique design, differing from their outer counterparts in both form and style.

They feature intricate geometric patterns in ivory or yellow set against a red backdrop, with narrow bands inscribed with verse 144 from Surat Al-Baqarah, which commands Muslims to face the Kaaba in prayer.

One of the pieces on display, believed to have been woven in the Turkish city of Bursa during the 12th to 13th centuries AH (18th–19th centuries AD), is part of the collection at the National Museum of Asian Art. Its presence at the Biennale underscores the global appreciation for Islamic artistic heritage.