The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced that the upcoming Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will witness the first-ever display of the entire Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba outside of Makkah AlMukarramah. Titled "And All That Is In Between", the second edition of the Biennale will take place from January 25 to May 25, 2025 at the iconic Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The Kiswah display will coincide with the first Hijri centenary of the establishment of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba (King Abdulaziz Complex) in Saudi Arabia, which has had the honor of manufacturing the Kiswah since AH 1346 (1927).
A new Kiswah – the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba – is created every year. The Kiswah displayed at this year’s edition is the one that adorned the Holy Kaaba last year. The Kiswah and its unique inscriptions and ornamentations are considered to be the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts. Reflecting the importance and value that the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba holds in the lives of Muslims worldwide, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation is proud to be able to highlight and educate people about this significant artifact.
By exhibiting the Kiswah, the Biennale will present a unique display that introduces the artifact's historical development and its associated craftsmanship. It enables visitors to admire its intricate weaving and embroidery, featuring silk, gold, and silver threads.
In addition to the Kiswah, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will display a remarkable collection of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks. This exhibition aims to inspire visitors to contemplate the richness of Islamic civilization and its creative arts, continuing the success of the 2023 inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale, titled "Awwal Bait" (First House), which attracted more than 600,000 visitors, becoming the world's second most– visited Biennale.
With the display of the Kiswah as a central element of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation seeks to strengthen pride in Islamic cultural heritage and create an exceptional opportunity for public engagement with a significant aspect of Islamic art. The exhibition will emphasize Saudi Arabia's central role in serving Islam and Muslims, showcasing the exceptional capabilities and craftsmanship of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba. This presentation aligns with the Kingdom’s custodianship of the Two Holy Mosques and the country’s Vision 2030 objectives of enriching the religious and cultural experiences of pilgrims and preserving the Kingdom's Islamic heritage. After the conclusion of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in May, the Kiswah will return to the care of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba (King Abdulaziz Complex).
ABOUT THE ISLAMIC ARTS BIENNALE
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s Islamic Arts Biennale provides a holistic platform for new discourse about Islamic arts, offering an unparalleled space for learning, research, and insight. The exhibition takes place every two years at the Aga Khan Award–winning Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, a city that for centuries has represented a junction point for cultural exchange and a venue that acts as a port of entry for millions of pilgrims on their journey to Makkah and Madinah.
ABOUT THE DIRIYAH BIENNALE FOUNDATION
Inspired by the changes taking place in Saudi Arabia and the heritage site of Diriyah, and Chaired by H. H. Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation assumes a critical role in nurturing creative expression and instilling an appreciation for culture and the arts and their transformative potential. The Foundation aspires to be a catalyst for lifelong learning and serves Saudi Arabia’s communities by offering opportunities to engage with the burgeoning local art scene. Central to the Foundation’s mandate is to stage two recurring world-class biennials in contemporary and Islamic arts, organizing year-round interactive educational programs, and overseeing the activation of JAX, a creative district with industrial heritage based in Diriyah. At this historical moment of evolution and growth in Saudi Arabia, DBF’s biennials showcase some of the world’s leading artists, drive cultural exchange between the Kingdom and international communities, promote dialogue and understanding, and further establish Saudi Arabia as an important cultural center. For more information and latest updates, visit biennale.org.sa. To join our conversation, follow Diriyah Biennale Foundation on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, and follow @DiriyahBiennaleFoundation.
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