Sofia Khan
‘Allah has made the Ka’ba, the inviolable House, as a means of support and uplift for mankind, as also the Sacred Month and the offerings and the animals with collars. That is so that you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and that Allah knows all things well.’ (Chapter 5, Verse 98)
Every year at the Jalsa, we have the incredible opportunity of going to a variety of exhibitions. One such exhibition is that of rare Islamic artifacts, which are kindly displayed for all to see, by Razwan Baig Sahib. Inside this treasure trove, is the striking exhibit of a piece of the Ka’ba Kiswa – the covering of the Ka’ba.
The image of the cloth featured above is the cloth of the Holy Ka’ba – the place of Worship for the One True God, since before Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and his son, Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), restored its foundations. This particularly piece was draped on this Holy Shrine in the 1930s. Every year, the Kiswa – or the cover of the Holy Ka’ba is replaced with a new cover – on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The silk cloth is woven with gold and silver thread: the most precious metals for the most precious place of worship – The House of the Lord.
As you enter this exhibition, you will be taken on a journey through the aesthetic world of Islam and its history, ranging from oil lamps, to geometric sculptures. On your travels through the ages, you will by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer, eager to answer any queries.
This wonderful exhibition was part of The Review of the Religions Exhibitions, entitled In Search of the Creator: Through the Eyes of the Craftsman.
