Pakistani architect Dr Yasmeen Lari refuses Israel's Wolf Prize over Gaza genocide
Listen to article
Renowned Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari has turned down the prestigious Wolf Prize 2025 in the field of architecture, citing the "continuing genocide" of Palestinians in Gaza.
Lari confirmed her decision on Tuesday, explaining that she could not accept the award due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Wolf Prize, granted annually in Israel since 1978, honors living scientists and artists for their achievements in various fields, including architecture. The award aims to promote "friendly relations among people" through recognition of contributions to humanity.
In her letter to the Wolf Foundation, Lari expressed her gratitude for the honor but made it clear that accepting the award was "out of the question" given the situation in Gaza.
Lari's refusal comes amid escalating violence in Gaza. In the past 24 hours, Israeli fire killed eight Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials, despite a fragile ceasefire with Hamas.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, many of them women and children. Israel's military campaign, which began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, has led to widespread destruction, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas in the Gaza Strip.
The acclaimed architect, known for her socially conscious work, has long advocated for socially responsible architecture, particularly for marginalized communities. She co-founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan in 1980, through which she has helped build sustainable shelters and ecological cooking stoves using natural materials. In 2023, Lari was awarded the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects Royal Gold Medal for her humanitarian contributions.
'I declined the award because of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, a reason I explicitly stated in my response to them," Lari said in an interview with Arab News, adding that her decision to turn down the award was "the very least I could do."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Global monitor seeks to avert Gaza famine
Listen to article Gaza is slipping into famine, the UN aid agencies warned on Tuesday, as the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said the Palestinian death toll in the nearly 22-month war had surpassed 60,000. The World Food Programme, UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organisation warned that time was running out and that Gaza was "on the brink of a full-scale famine". "We need to flood Gaza with large-scale food aid, immediately and without obstruction, and keep it flowing each and every day to prevent mass starvation," WFP executive director Cindy McCain said in a joint statement from the agencies. This week, Israel launched daily pauses in its military operations in some parts of Gaza and opened secure routes to enable UN and other aid agencies to distribute food in the densely packed territory of more than two million people. However, Israeli strikes continued overnight, killing 30 people in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to Gaza's civil defence agency — and experts warn a humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions was imminent. "The worst-case scenario of famine is now unfolding in the Gaza Strip," said the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a coalition of monitors tasked by the UN to warn of impending crises. The IPC, whose advice is followed by UN agencies, stopped short of declaring a state of famine, but made clear the situation is critical. Britain, France and Germany could send their foreign ministers to Israel next week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, adding: "We assume that the Israeli government is willing to acknowledge that something must be done now." In a statement released ahead of the IPC report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of distorting casualty figures and of looting food designated for civilians
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Hamas asked to disarm, give up Gaza
Netanyahu said Hamas should disarm and leave the territory for lasting peace. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article Arab countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, joined calls on Tuesday for Hamas to disarm and end its rule of Gaza, in a bid to end the devastating war in the Palestinian territory. Seventeen countries plus the European Union and Arab League threw their weight behind a seven-page text agreed at a United Nations conference on reviving the two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. "In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State," said the declaration. It followed a call Monday by the Palestinian delegation at the United Nations for both Israel and Hamas to leave Gaza, allowing the Palestinian Authority to administer the coastal territory. The text also condemned the deadly Hamas attacks against Israel of October 7, 2023, which launched the war. France, which co-chaired the conference with Saudi Arabia, called the declaration "both historic and unprecedented". "For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn October 7, call for the disarmament of Hamas, call for its exclusion from Palestinian governance, and clearly express their intention to normalise relations with Israel in the future," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The text, co-signed by France, Britain and Canada among other western nations, also called for the possible deployment of foreign forces to stabilise Gaza after the end of hostilities. Israel and its ally the United States did not take part in the meeting. "We supported the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission upon invitation by the Palestinian Authority and under the aegis of the United Nations and in line with UN principles, building on existing UN capacities, to be mandated by the UN Security Council, with appropriate regional and international support," said the declaration. The document was issued at the second day of the conference in New York at which Britain announced it may recognise a Palestinian state in September. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said London would proceed with recognition if Israel did not fulfil conditions including implementing a ceasefire in Gaza and allowing in sufficient aid.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
UK unveils plan to recognise Palestine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends a press conference during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa on October 26, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday the UK will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various "substantive steps" in Gaza, including agreeing to a ceasefire. The potentially landmark move, part of a plan for "lasting peace" that Starmer is putting forward, came after the UK leader recalled his cabinet from recess for urgent talks on the worsening situation in the besieged territory. Starmer told his ministers London will formally recognise a Palestinian state in September if the Israeli government has not taken the steps demanded, his office said. They include ending "the appalling situation in Gaza", reaching a ceasefire, making "clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank", and committing "to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution", it added. "I have always said that we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution," Starmer later said in a Downing Street address. "With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act." French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly meeting in September. Starmer said "the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza". The two countries would be the first G7 nations to do so, with Macron's announcement last week drawing a strong rebuke from both Israel and the United States.
