The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Yasser Al Hirbawi started his kuffiyeh factory, not knowing that 60 years later, it would be the last kuffiyeh factory preceding its operations from the heart of Palestine. A busy production line operated by local Palestinian artists, Al Hirbawi is keeping the traditions alive. Producing kuffiyehs in a variety of colours and traditional patterns and exporting them to the whole world, Al Hirbawi Textile Factory is the only source of authentic, made-in-Palestine kuffiyehs.

Image via Instagram 

The Hibrawi Textile Factory produced their first batch in 1961. Using specific cross-stitching honed to perfection by Palestinian artists, Al Hirbawi’s production lines have been passed down from one generation to the next. Now run by Yasser Al Hirbawi’s three sons and their family friend Abed Keraki, the Al Hirbawi factory is tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood in the West Bank city of Hebron or Al Khalil. 

Image via Instagram 

 

Despite their booming production in the ’90s, Al Hirbawi operations were paused in 2010, with Chinese-made kuffiyehs flooding the global market. With production dropping to 10,000 kuffiyehs a year and only four machines operating in Al Hirbawi’s massive factory, the operations were put on hold, and many of the dedicated artisans lost their jobs and livelihoods. In 2012, with the risk of the last authentic kuffiyeh factory shutting down, Al Hirbawi gained the exposure it deserved through international media platforms, and soon, collaboration and cooperation requests were coming their way left and right. 

Image via Instagram

The 2012 media storm resulted in cooperation with the MADEinPalestine.de initiative, bringing kufiya.org, an online shop based in Germany, to light (both websites are available through the Al Hirbawi website). Helping Al Hirbawi deliver its products to consumers globally from the heart of the West Bank, Al Hibrawi Factory now has distributors worldwide.

Image via Instagram

From producing handmade kuffiyehs to a variety of designs based on historic landmarks and elements of Palestinian culture, as well as the traditional staple kuffiyeh patterns that are known and loved around the world, Al Hirbawi is now receiving orders. So whether you’re looking to buy your family and loved ones this Palestinian resistance symbol or if you’re looking for batches for your store, you can place your order from Al Hirbawi Factory here.