The Al-Ahsa bisht goes global... Smart technologies and the new Al-Mahoud factory
In a significant step aimed at elevating Saudi Arabia's rich heritage from local to global recognition, Al-Ahsa Governorate has inaugurated a new era in the history of royal cloak making with the opening of the "Al-Mahoud" factory at the industrial city by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Governor of Al-Ahsa. This project is the result of a strategic partnership between Saudi Aramco and the Al-Ahsa Girls Association , and serves as a model for the digital empowerment of handicrafts.
Al-Ahsa: The capital of the bisht and the home of global crafts
Al-Ahsa Governorate enjoys a prestigious historical and cultural standing, having been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It is renowned as the home of handicrafts and folk arts in the Kingdom. The "Al-Ahsa bisht" is an icon of these crafts, renowned for its hand-weaving by Al-Ahsa families for centuries, using gilded zari threads, making it a symbol of prestige and elegance in the Arabian Gulf region. The opening of the Al-Mahoud factory further enhances this status, as it is the first smart industrial project to integrate the skills of Al-Ahsa's artisans with artificial intelligence technologies. It aims to produce 30 bishts daily and provide 50 high-quality jobs, thus ensuring the sustainability of this industry and protecting it from extinction.
Women's empowerment and future technologies
Latifa Al-Afaleq, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Ahsa Girls Association, congratulated the residents and artisans on this achievement, emphasizing that the project meets the needs of a wide segment of the population and serves both the tourism and education sectors. She pointed out that the introduction of technology has become essential for developing this long-established industry in Al-Ahsa, which is considered the " home of crafts " and home to more than 200 families who have inherited the profession.
For her part, Aisha Al-Dosari, the association’s executive director, described the factory as a “dream” that has come true, explaining that the project focuses on empowering women to prove that weaving the bisht is no longer exclusive to men, but has become a field of female creativity, with plans to introduce modern products derived from the identity of the bisht.
Success stories from within the production lines
Within the factory's corridors, stories of perseverance are embodied. Craftswoman Bushra Al-Dalawi spoke passionately about the meticulous weaving stages, such as "Al-Tarsim," "Al-Hayla," and "Al-Bardakh," expressing her pride in completing a complete bisht by hand. Meanwhile, Dalal Al-Ibrahim recounted her journey of struggle, which began from scratch at the "Fatati" Institute, culminating in her mastery of crafting "Sidiri" and bishts with exceptional skill.
Bushra Al-Dalawi
Dalal Al-Ibrahim
Craftswoman Maryam Al-Muhaysin shared this view, aspiring to create modern products such as bags inspired by the bisht, while Wajiha Al-Omran emphasized the family spirit in the factory and the collective ambition to provide a Saudi product of global quality.
Advanced technologies and unparalleled quality
On the technical side, Diaa Al-Nasser, the machine operator, explained that the production line includes advanced units operating 12 hours a day to ensure precision in design and measurements. Abdullah Al-Jawhar, another machine operator, showcased the artistic diversity of the products, noting the production of popular "daqat" (traditional rugs) such as the "malakiyah," "maruba'a," and "mukhumus," using the finest international fabrics like Turkish wool and llama wool.
Diaa Al-Nasser
Abdullah Al-Jawhar
This project represents an important contributor to the national economy, as it aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in diversifying income sources and supporting local content, in addition to promoting cultural tourism by offering heritage products with a modern spirit capable of competing in international markets.
