Islamic Landmarks
The covering on the door of the Ka’bah is known as the ‘Sitara‘ and is the most elaborate part of the Kiswah. Also referred to as the ‘Burqa‘ and ‘Burdah’, it’s changed annually along with the rest of the Kiswah.
Historical Sitaras
- The Sitara today is made up of gold and and white embroidery against a black background. Past Sitaras were often quite colourful with the designs reflecting the eras in which they were made.
- The earliest known example of the Sitara was made in Egypt and dates to 1544 during the reign of Sulayman the Magnificent.
Inscriptions on the Sitara
- The curtain contains verses from the Quran, duas and supplications to Allah. It is customary for the bottom two panels to show the name of the ruler who has ‘gifted’ the Kiswah that year.
- Below is a breakdown of what is written on each panel:
References: thenationalnews.com
Add comment