WEBDESK: Renowned Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari has refused the 2025 Wolf Prize in architecture, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Wolf Prize, awarded in Israel since 1978, is one of the most prestigious honors in various fields, including architecture. However, Lari stated that accepting the award was “out of the question” due to the ongoing violence in Gaza.
In her letter to the Wolf Foundation, Yasmeen Lari expressed gratitude for the recognition but said she could not accept an award from a country involved in what she called a “genocide” against Palestinians. Her decision comes as Israeli attacks on Gaza continue, leading to significant loss of civilian lives (over 48,000 people killed), including women and children.
“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.”
Yasmeen Lari, known for her social work, has long called for socially responsible architecture, particularly for disadvantaged 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.
Along with Yasmeen, this year’s recipient also include another woman architect from China, Tiantian Xu who have significantly improved village economies and social cohesion.
Her bold decision has sparked conversations worldwide, with many praising her for standing up for human rights. Supporters say her refusal to accept the Wolf Prize highlights the need for ethics in global recognition or prizes.
