Holy Islamic relics go on display at city hall

Islamic artefacts dating back hundreds of years, including the cloth used to cover the Kaaba in Mecca, are going on display at Bradford City Hall.

The free exhibit runs from 11:00 to 18:00 GMT on Saturday and is open to Muslims and non-Muslims.

Organiser Riyaz Maniar, from Dewsbury, said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"These artefacts and relics are important to the Muslim world and even in Mecca and Medina you can't get close up to these items," he said.

"Some of the pieces are from inside the Kaaba, which is very rare. And some of the pieces are from inside the Prophet Muhammad's tomb, which you don't usually get to see unless you're a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family," he added.

The exhibition includes the Kiswa, a 29ft-long (9m) cloth that covers the Kaaba, the sacred stone structure at the heart of the Great Mosque in Mecca, which is considered the spiritual centre of Islam.

Made from pure silk, 22 carat gold and silver, and embroidered with Quranic verses, the Kiswa is changed every year on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Also on display will be pieces from the Ottoman empire, which are more than 270 years old, the lock and key from the Kaaba, which is changed every few years, and a draping from the the wall of the inner tomb of Prophet Muhammad.

Mr Maniar said the pieces had been donated by the Saudi Arabian authorities.

"In Medina you can only see the external tomb, you only get to peer through a grill from the outside.

"All the pieces are gold and many of the gold threads are used to do calligraphy and take a year to complete."

The exhibition has toured around the UK, including in Birmingham and Dewsbury, and will be on display at Batley Town Hall in April.

It is supported by the Council of Mosques, Bradford City Council and restaurant Mr T's.

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