Honoring Dr. Orouba and Halla Barakat

Halla Barakat, a 23-year old American-born journalist, and her mother, 60-year old Dr. Orouba Barakat, were found strangled and stabbed to death in their Istanbul apartment on Thursday, September 21. Halla and Orouba were leading lights for human rights and women’s empowerment, and used their platforms – Halla as a journalist for Orient TV, and Dr. Orouba, as a member of the Syrian National Council – to call attention to the ongoing atrocities in Syria.

Dr. Orouba Barakat Halla pictured with American Journalist

They were also known for being close friends with American humanitarian aid worker, Kayla Mueller -- who was taken hostage by ISIS in Aleppo, Syria in 2013, and killed 18 months later -- and created Kayla's Hands foundation in her honor.

While in Turkey, Dr. Orouba created programs designed to help refugee women achieve economic self-sustainability, by bringing their handmade textiles to the local marketplaces of Istanbul. In the aftermath of Dr. Orouba’s murder, her sister, Shaza Barakat, is determined to carry that legacy forward, in partnership with the Karam Foundation, a US-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The goal of this campaign is to support the creation of a women’s entrepreneurship program in Idlib, Syria, which will allow local women to sew, crochet, and knit textiles and clothing, and prepare hot foods, packaged foods, and seasonal spices, in order to sell them to nearby homes and businesses.

Halla and outgoing activist pictured here at a protest for Syria

Death Threats

An unidentified reporter who knew Halla told the Committee to Protect Journalists, a press freedom watchdog group, that both women had received death threats via social media and email from supporters of the Syrian regime.

Karam Foundation

All funds raised will be sent to Karam Foundation.