Section from the Hizam (or Belt) of the Ka‘bah

Location: Cairo, Egypt

Materials: black silk with pale-green silk appliqués, relief-embroidered in silver and silver-gilt wire over cotton thread padding

Dimensions: 88 x 506cm

Accession Number: TXT 251

Other Notes: The text on this section of the hizam consists of the basmalah, followed by verses 26 and 27 from Surat al-Hajj (XX). It reads, ‘In the name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful. Behold, we gave the site to Abraham of the (Sacred) House, saying: “Associate not anything in worship with Me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer). And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways”.’ The circular medallion on the left encloses four of the asma’ allah al-husna (‘the Beatific Names of God’).