MAKKAH, 16 August 2007 -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah washed the Holy Kaaba on Tuesday night in the presence of princes, prominent religious scholars, government ministers, foreign dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps from Muslim countries.
Those who participated in the washing of Islam's holiest edifice included Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov, the head of Azhar University Dr. Muhammad Syed Tantawi and Mufti of Egypt Dr. Ali Jumaa.
King Abdullah performed the ritual circumambulation around the Kaaba and the two-rakah prayer of the Tawaf on his arrival to the holy precinct, Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday.
The king then proceeded to wash the interior of the Kaaba with Zam Zam blended with rose water and several other perfumes. The ritual also included rubbing the walls with a cloth drenched in perfumed Zam Zam.
The Kaaba is washed twice a year, once before the fasting month of Ramadan and once during Haj. The ceremonial washing follows the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) of cleansing the Kaaba on the day he conquered Makkah in the eighth year of Hijrah (Migration) to Madinah.
King Abdullah arrived in Jeddah yesterday evening from Makkah. The king was received by Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal ibn Majed on his arrival. The king had left Jeddah on Aug. 10 for a tour of Taif.
© Arab News 2007
