Makkah: On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Makkah Governor Prince Mishal bin Abdullah led the ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba on Thursday. Before leading the washing ceremony, Prince Mishal performed circumambulation (tawaf).
The interior walls of Islam's holiest shrine were cleansed with rose, oud and musk perfumes using white cloth. Zamzam water mixed with rose perfume then splashed on the floor and then wiped with bare hands and palm leaves.
After the cleaning, the floor and the walls were dried again with white cloth and tissues. The walls were then perfumed using large quantities of oud and rose perfume.
Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Khozaim, deputy head of the presidency, Minister of Culture and information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja, Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar,
several princes, ministers, government officials, Islamic scholars, Muslim diplomats accredited to the Kingdom, as well as citizens took part in the washing ceremony, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Hundreds of thousands of Umrah pilgrims from around the world and visitors to the mosque also witnessed the ceremony.
Sheikh Al-Sudais said the ceremonial washing of Kaaba is being held following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who washed it after entering the Kaaba at the time of conquest of Makkah.
He also highlighted the top priority given by the government of Saudi Arabia and the presidency in further improving the facilities at the Two Holy Mosques and extending the best ever services to the pilgrims and visitors to the mosques.
The washing ritual of the Kaaba was carried out before the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan.
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