Kiswah Fragment

This object is a fragment of the kiswah, the sacred covering of the Kaaba, the most important shrine in Islam.
The kiswah is made of black silk and embroidered with Qur’anic inscriptions in gold and silver threads. It is renewed annually, and the previous covering is traditionally cut into pieces and distributed as honorary gifts.
This particular fragment was presented to Uzbekistan in 2025 as an official diplomatic gift and later transferred to the Center of Islamic Civilization.
The calligraphy is executed in the thuluth script, one of the most monumental styles in Islamic art. The text is arranged as a continuous decorative composition, integrating script and ornament.
The kiswah represents not only a religious object but also a highly refined example of textile craftsmanship.
This fragment reflects the continuing cultural and spiritual connections between Central Asia and the wider Islamic world.