place on the 1st of Sha'baan, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, around thirty days before the start of the month of Ramadan and on the 15th of Muharram, the first month. The keys to the Kaaba are held by the Banī Shaybah () tribe, an honor bestowed upon them by Muhammad. Members of the tribe greet visitors to the inside of the Kaaba on the occasion of the cleaning ceremony. The Governor of the Makkah Province and accompanying dignitaries clean the interior of the Kaaba using cloths dipped in Zamzam water scented with Oud perfume. Preparations for the washing start a day before the agreed date, with the mixing of Zamzam water with several luxurious perfumes including Tayef rose, 'oud and musk. Zamzam water mixed with rose perfume is splashed on the floor and is wiped with palm leaves. Usually, the entire process is completed in two hours. See also Al-Masjid an-NabawiBayt al-Mawlid, the house where Muhammad is believed to have been born List of largest mosques List of mosques in Saudi Arabia Notes References Bibliography Armstrong, Karen (2000, 2002). Islam: A Short History. . Crone, Patricia (2004). Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam. Piscataway, New Jersey: Gorgias. Elliott, Jeri (1992). Your Door to Arabia. . Guillaume, A. (1955). The Life of Muhammad. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hawting, G.R; Kaʿba. Encyclopaedia of the QurʾānHisham Ibn Al-Kalbi The book of Idols, translated with introduction and notes by Nabih Amin Faris 1952 Macaulay-Lewis, Elizabeth, The Kaba (text), Smarthistory. Mohamed, Mamdouh N. (1996). Hajj to Umrah: From A to Z. Amana Publications. . Peterson, Andrew (1997). Dictionary of Islamic Architecture London: Routledge. Wensinck, A. J; Kaʿba. Encyclopaedia of Islam IV[1915] The Book of History, a History of All Nations From the Earliest Times to the Present'', Viscount Bryce (Introduction), The Grolier Society. External links Ka'bah info: Everything you want to know about the Holy Ka'bah SA's Official Live Webcam of the Kaaba Former door of the Kaaba (ca. 1635) Articles containing video clips Religious buildings and structures converted into mosques