About Us
About The Barakat Trust
Well Established
We were founded as a UK charity in 1987
by Hamida and Tarik Alireza, and Shahnaz Bagherzade, who were struck by the inadequate initiatives to preserve the heritage of the Islamic world, and the limited professional expertise in countries where that heritage was to be found.
Forward Looking
We were set up to nurture new generations of heritage professionals and support established scholars and conservators committed to preserving the heritage of the Islamic world. Many of our grantees are today leading practitioners and academics in the field.
Global in Reach
We have successfully supported more than 700 projects across 40 countries.
About Barakat Culture CIC
Barakat Culture CIC is a UK registered social enterprise set up by The Barakat Trust
Engage audiences with the heritage of the Islamic world in exciting ways
Support entities passionate about heritage preservation by providing specialist heritage consultancy services
Share our global specialist network to enable better preservation
Channel all profits generated to The Barakat Trust’s annual grants programme
Our Services
Strategy
Together we transform your vision into achievable plans
We can help you:
- Develop project vision and framework
- Capture stakeholders’ voices, aims and aspirations
- Understand audience needs to assist in programme development
- Identify achievable goals that meet audience needs
Business Planning
We create sustainable organisational plans that engage stakeholders and achieve your heritage related goals.
We can help you:
- Prepare comprehensive business plans reflecting your values and aims
- Cultural mapping to identify relevant global best practice
- Design detailed organisational structures and job descriptions
- Build the capacity of your heritage and cultural experience team
- Focus on financial sustainability through financial modelling
- Develop relationships with relevant external partners
Research and Conservation
We undertake research and analysis to reveal the stories of past peoples, places and objects, and bring together the best skills to conserve material culture
We can help you with:
- Assessment of collections, buildings and urban landscapes
- Identify suitable specialists for research and conservation
- Develop curatorial narratives
- Documentation and conservation of artefacts and buildings
- Curatorial planning to put management and engagement plans in place
Engagement
We design cultural experiences by creating engaging content from well – researched stories.
We can help:
- Assess historic buildings or collections to determine effective interventions
- Assess heritage projects submitted for funding
- Assess projects being considered for awards
- Headhunt candidates and partners in the cultural sector
- Provide advice on how to develop a heritage project/funding proposal
- Design specialised cultural immersion itineraries for trips
Advisory Services
We provide specialised advisory services, from assessing project funding and awards, to headhunting professionals for heritage roles
We can help you with:
- Innovative interpretation using digital and traditional means
- Exhibition development and curation
- Developing cultural, educational and heritage events and activities
- Developing target audience profiles, interest and motivators
- Working with local communities to develop heritage programmes
- Providing tailor made educational programmes for young audiences
- Promotion of heritage and culture subjects to diverse audiences
Our Ethos
To respect the integrity of historic sites
To utilise insider knowledge to ensure local relevance
To embed training opportunities in every project we undertake
To approach preservation as an opportunity for community development
To make heritage accessible to diverse audiences
To raise awareness about the value of heritage
Our Consultancy Approach
Cultural Mapping
Situating a project within its larger context
Determining Aspirations
Identifying stakeholders and their needs and expectations
Benchmarking Success
Identifying regional & international good practice and processes driving those successes
Identifying Collaborators
Bringing together the right specialists and partners to achieve results
Project Development
Developing project components including long- term project sustainability
Measuring Impact
Measuring a project’s impact on stakeholders, local communities and heritage
Case Studies
Consultancy Case Study 1
Consultancy Services Case Study 1 Integrated cultural heritage strategy for a historic battle site, Medina, Saudi Arabia We developed an integrated cultural heritage strategy sensitive to community needs, conservation issues, tourism opportunities and cultural values making the best use of immersive cutting-edge technology to bring the site to life.
Consultancy Case Study 2
Consultancy Services Case Study 2 Arts in Isolation: Global Engagement with Islamic Art In 2020 we partnered with Asia House and brought together leading specialists in the field to share their knowledge with international audiences in an internationally acclaimed podcast series “Arts in Isolation”, sharing the heritage and culture of the Islamic world.
Consultancy Case Study 3
Consultancy Services Case Study 3 Architectural and urban appraisals of historic cities in the Gulf In 2019, we delivered historic urban environment appraisals for historic environments prior to intervention in Tarout, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (For Barker Langham) and evaluated the effectiveness of a 15 year rehabilitation scheme in Muharraq, Bahrain (for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture).
Our People and Partnerships
Our Consultants
Bring extensive knowledge, skills and expertise to all our projects
The Barakat Trust Network
We have one of the largest global networks in the fields of Islamic art, architecture, archaeology, conservation and museum sciences, drawn from past and present grantees and collaborators.
Some of the Trustees of The Barakat Trust
Our trustees are specialists in the heritage, history, culture, arts and design of Saudi Arabia and the region
of Mansoojat, a UK charity with the most important private collection of Hijazi costumes. Hamida regularly organises cultural awareness activities about Saudi heritage, including trips, talks, exhibitions and other events.
Committee developing SAC’s public programme, She also sits on the Middle East acquisitions committees of the British Museum , the Centre Pompidou and other international organisations involved in art collection and curation
Box, a multi brand boutique in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She uses her business management experience to support the Trust through engagement and membership development and organizing cultural events.