A new cultural centre called Ibraaz is opening on 15 October in a historic Grade II-listed mansion at 93 Mortimer Street in London’s Fitzrovia. The inaugural exhibition is Ibrahim Mahama’s installation *Parliament of Ghosts*, which fills the ballroom with colonial furniture and plinths evoking Ghana’s past. The multi-disciplinary art space is entirely funded by the Kamel Lazaar Foundation and led by Lina Lazaar, who previously founded Jeddah Art Week and worked at Sotheby’s. Ibraaz will host talks, performances, film screenings, and exhibitions, and includes a bookshop, café, screening room, and a library-in-residence by the Otolith Group.
The opening matters because Ibraaz positions itself as a private institution taking responsibility for fostering free expression and difficult conversations at a time when such freedoms are under threat globally. By centering the global majority—particularly North African, Arab, and Muslim-adjacent perspectives—the space aims to build on shared histories and create a hospitable yet courageous venue for urgent cultural dialogue. Its permanent physical home in London marks a significant expansion from its origins as a digital platform after the Arab Spring, potentially serving as a connective hub between diaspora communities and other regions.