Restoration in Aleppo: Meet Jamal Habbal

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has been restoring cultural heritage in Syria for a quarter of a century.

In Aleppo’s Old City, we have restored eight key sections of the souk since 2018. We have returned 277 shops to their owners and rehabilitated over 500 metres of passageways covering a 5,480 m² area.

This work continues, one section at a time—reviving a centuries-old marketplace and restoring a vital source of hope, livelihood and community for the people of Aleppo.

In this video, rope and net maker Jamal Habbal introduces his craft, recalling the market in its pre-war days and sharing his hopes for the future.

AKDN has worked in Syria for decades to improve the quality of life for the Syrian people. We collaborate with international partners, national authorities and local communities to deliver long-term, locally led solutions that rebuild lives and livelihoods, preserve cultural heritage and create opportunities for all.