Hajj 2026: Makkah Pilgrimage Begins with Kaaba Focus and Kiswah Storytelling

The annual Hajj pilgrimage commenced in Saudi Arabia as more than 1.5 million Muslims arrived in Makkah for this significant religious obligation centered around the Kaaba.

As part of the five-day event, worshippers congregated at Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf, circling the Kaaba counterclockwise several times in prayer and devotion.

The Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure measuring approximately 13 meters in height, is located at the heart of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. It serves as the qibla, or direction Muslims face during daily prayers.

Islamic tradition holds that Prophet Muhammad restored the Kaaba as a site for monotheistic worship after returning to Makkah in 630 CE. The structure contains marble-lined walls and floors, along with hanging lanterns and three wooden pillars supporting its roof.

A staircase leads to the upper section of the Kaaba, which is covered by the Kiswah – a black silk cloth embroidered with Quranic verses using gold and silver thread. This covering is replaced annually during Hajj season by a specialized team in Saudi Arabia, costing over 25 million riyals.

The lower part of the Kiswah is lifted to protect it due to the large number of pilgrims touching the Kaaba during rituals. The pilgrimage will continue with further rites including travel to Mina and prayers at the plain of Arafat, considered its spiritual peak.