Gaza Conservation - Winner of ICCROM-Sharjah Honorary Award

We are pleased to announce that the project to conserve Gaza’s Al-Qaisariyya Bazaar (a former Barakat Trust grantee) has been awarded with an ICCROM-Sharjah Honorary Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation. Congratulations to the whole team for this enormous recognition of difficult and important work, with particular congratulations to Muneer Elbaz for his tireless work on vital conservation.

For six centuries bustling merchants sold their goods at this important market on the Silk Road, beneath its Mamluk vaulted ceiling and Gothic archways. More recently, its 44 castle (qasr)-like shops have been home to the city’s gold merchants, trading their wares outside the Great Omari Mosque. The 14th century market has recently been heavily damaged, so conservation and reparation work is more vital than ever.

After receiving the prestigious award, Muneer kindly said the following: “This achievement would not have been possible without the invaluable support and encouragement you [The Barakat Trust] have extended to the project and to our community in Gaza. Your dedication and belief in our work have truly made a difference, and for that, I am deeply grateful … Words fall short of expressing my profound appreciation for your unwavering support and partnership.”

Congratulations to Muneer and all involved.