Kiswa, Ka'aba cover cloth piece

Each year the special kiswa or covering cloth from the Kaa’ba may be cut up and given away as holy souvenirs. For centuries this huge velvet and gold cloth was made in Egypt and given to Mecca as sacred tribute. This cloth piece shows the third verse of the Qur’an which translates as: ‘The Owner of the Day of Judgement’. The pilgrimage to Mecca, al-hajj, is regarded as the fifth pillar, or essential duty, of any Muslim.