New Initiative to Localise Silk Production for the Kaaba’s Kiswa

A new initiative will localise the production of natural silk used in the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba and the covering of the Prophet's Sacred Chamber.

The project, led by the Jazan Mountains Development Authority in collaboration with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, seeks to replace imported silk with locally cultivated alternatives. Under the plan, raw silk will be farmed and processed in Jazan and then delivered to the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, adhering to specifications established during the initiative’s feasibility study.

The initiative is part of a broader push for sustainability and rural development. By cultivating silk, the project aims to create economic opportunities for farmers in mountainous areas, stimulate private investment, and enhance Saudi Arabia’s natural textile output.

The program has received formal approval from the General Authority and is expected to support national goals around economic diversification and local industry empowerment.