RIYADH: Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md Shahidul Islam on Thursday joined the ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba at Makkah in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Earlier, the authorities concerned invited the embassy to take part in the progamme.

Makkah’s governor Mishaal bin Abdullah Al Saud, on behalf of Saudi Arabian King Abdullah ibn Abdilazīz, led the cleaning programme.

Makkah’s and Madiana’s presidency head Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz as-Sudais, Saudi Arabian cultural and information minster Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, many government high officials, several Muslim countries’ head and diplomats attended the function.

Having finished the programme, they offered shukrana-namaaz there.

The interior of the Kaaba is washed twice a year — in Muharram and Shaaban, the first and ninth months of the Hijrah calendar. 

The Kaaba, which is located inside the sprawling Haram Mosque complex, is central to the Islamic faith as Muslims all over the world face it while performing daily prayers.

BDST: 0930 HRS MAY 30, 2014