Pakistani architect Dr. Yasmeen Lari has turned down the Wolf Prize 2025 in architecture, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as her reason.
Lari, a globally recognized advocate for sustainable and humanitarian architecture, expressed appreciation for the honor but stated she could not accept it while Palestinians face ongoing violence.
The Wolf Prize, awarded in Israel since 1978, acknowledges scientific and artistic achievements. However, Lari refused the recognition, saying it was impossible to accept an award from a country involved in the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Her decision comes as Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate Gaza, with reports of thousands of Palestinian casualties, including women and children. The destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools has worsened the humanitarian crisis.
Lari, who has dedicated her career to designing disaster-resistant and eco-friendly housing, has received international acclaim, including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Royal Gold Medal in 2023.
In an interview with Arab News, she stated that rejecting the award was a matter of principle. “I made it clear that I cannot accept this while Gaza is under attack,” she said, adding that it was a small act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
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