Kaaba’s sacred cover replaced ahead of islamic new year

In Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the black cloth cover of the Kaaba — Islam’s holiest site — was replaced on Wednesday ahead of the Islamic New Year.

Tens of skilled workers carefully raised the new cover, known as the Kiswa, using robes and mechanical lifts in a meticulously coordinated effort.

Weighing 1.4 tons, the Kiswa is made of fine black silk and adorned with 68 verses from the Quran, embroidered using silver threads plated with…