Rajab bin Mahwus Al‑Maliki, one of the oldest craftsmen involved in weaving the Kaaba’s Kiswah, passed away early Monday morning while receiving treatment at a hospital in Riyadh. He was around 90 years old and had spent more than forty years working on the Kiswah. Throughout his life, he often recounted his beautiful memories of this sacred work in various media interviews and in gatherings with family and colleagues, until his retirement in 1426 AH.
In a previous interview with Okaz newspaper, he recalled his early memories with the Kiswah, saying that he participated in producing the first Kaaba cover made in Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Abdulrahim Amin Bukhari. The work took six months. He added, may God have mercy on him:
“It was exhausting work, but we enjoyed it. Our main concern was completing the task. Our first meeting was held at Bab Al‑Malik Saud under Bukhari’s supervision. After being commissioned to produce the first Kiswah following the shutdown of the factory in Egypt, we relied on the old covers and worked on them until we completed the Kiswah on schedule.”
He also noted that the second Kiswah produced in Mecca was made during the reign of King Faisal, using only thread and needle.
“The work was difficult,” he said, “but we wanted to prove to everyone that we were capable of managing this task—and we succeeded.”
For his part, Dr. Mohammed Bajouda, Director of the Kiswah Factory, expressed his deepest condolences and sorrow over the passing of Sheikh Rajab Al‑Maliki. He said:
“I extend my heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy, on my behalf and on behalf of all employees of the Kiswah Factory, to the sons, relatives, and family of the deceased.”
He added that with Al‑Maliki’s passing, the factory had lost one of its most valuable experts in crafting the most precious and revered textile in the world.
Dr. Bajouda explained that Sheikh Rajab had served the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque for more than 40 years, dedicating his life to sewing the Kiswah. He prayed that God envelop him in His vast mercy and grant him a place in His spacious Paradise.