The embroidered cloth covering the Kaaba, known as the "Kiswa" (the Arabic word for cover) was removed from Islam's holiest site Sunday by strong winds in Saudi Arabia's Mecca.

The Muslim faithful, who were inside the Grand Mosque of Mecca to perform the tawaf around the cube-shaped building which Muslims face during their prayers, captured these unique moments with their smartphones.

Strong winds, topped with rare flash rainfall, also caused slight damage to the tents housing pilgrims near Mount Arafat.

Made up of pure black silk, the Kiswa features verses from the Quran embroidered with gold-plated thread. It is replaced with the new one on the eve of the Qurban Bayram, also known as the Eid al-Adha, when the mosque has fewer worshippers as most pilgrims head to Mount Arafat for prayers.