Fiber to fashion: The complex path to halal textiles
Halal textiles are essential for creating modest clothing that aligns with Islamic principles. But what are the challenges in making halal fabric?
Halal textiles form the foundation of modest fashion, harmonizing Islamic principles with modern ethical standards. They represent an essential sector for innovation, addressing the growing demand for garments that meet both religious and sustainable criteria.
Yet, producing truly halal fabrics comes with notable challenges, Ahmad Soffian, CEO and co-founder of Sa’adah Global, a Jakarta-based halal business consultancy, explains.
“First, sourcing raw materials that are both ethically and Islamically compliant can be complex. Textile manufacturers must carefully consider inputs like dyes, animal-derived oils, and even certain synthetic chemicals, which can be non-halal if not processed according to Islamic principles,” Soffian points out.
Furthermore, transparency across the entire supply chain is necessary, yet challenging to establish.
“Many suppliers and processing stages might be located across multiple countries, each with varying halal standards and certification requirements. This creates a need for robust traceability systems, which can be costly to implement,” says Soffian.
He further highlights the risks of contamination in shared production facilities, where even minimal cross-contamination can render products non-compliant with halal standards. “The cost and complexity of segregating production lines to maintain halal standards are significant, especially for small to medium manufacturers who may lack the infrastructure.”
Comprehensive compliance
Halal textiles go beyond merely excluding haram (unlawful) ingredients; they are also expected to embody Islamic principles such as animal welfare, ethical labour practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, and fairness in trade. These values align with broader global trends in ethical and sustainable fashion.
Despite the growing innovation among modest fashion brands to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim consumers, there remains a significant gap in the production processes of fabric manufacturers.
"Currently, the majority of fabric producers do not meet halal criteria," says Jeny Tjahyawati, a Jakarta-based modest fashion designer and founder of the Indonesia Modest Fashion Designers community.
This disparity underscores the need for systemic changes in the textile industry to ensure compliance with halal standards while meeting consumers’ ethical and sustainable expectations.
“Textile raw materials for fashion are made through a long process, from the fibre, yarn, and fabric, up until garment manufacturing. Each stage has a critical point that allows for mixed materials containing haram elements,” adds Tjahyawati.
“As such, cooperation with textile experts who understand this and are able to identify producers that comply with halal criteria is the easiest way to get a halal certification for modest fashion.”
To ensure clothing products are halal from farm to wardrobe, businesses must uphold the integrity of raw materials - such as fabrics, cotton, and leather - as well as maintain compliance throughout production processes and facilities.
This comprehensive approach is emphasized in research by Dr. Eli Sumarliah, a lecturer at the University of Science and Technology Beijing. The commitment to halal clothing extends across all stages of the supply chain, he notes, including sourcing, manufacturing, storage, packaging, transportation, and retail, each requiring strict adherence to halal standards.
