Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari declines Israeli prize worth PKR 2.8 crores

Yasmeen Lari, Pakistan’s pioneering architect and humanitarian, has declined the 2025 Wolf Prize in Architecture, citing the ongoing crisis in Gaza as her reason. Along with rejecting the prestigious honour, she has also turned down the accompanying $100,000 prize money (approximately 28 million Pakistani rupees), stating that accepting it would go against her conscience.

Lari, known for taking architecture and social justice side by side, formally conveyed her decision to the Wolf Foundation. While she expressed gratitude for the recognition, she also emphasised that she could not accept the award amid Israel’s continued military actions in Gaza.

“The least I could do was to decline the award,” she remarked, stressing that the ongoing “genocide” made accepting any recognition associated with Israel untenable.

The Wolf Prize, which has been presented annually since 1978, honours excellence across six fields: agriculture, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, physics, and the arts—where architecture, music, painting, and sculpture are rotated. Although the Wolf Foundation operates independently, its base in Israel was a significant factor in Lari’s decision. 

Her refusal occurs in the context of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since Israel intensified its military campaign, a retaliatory genocide, following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Israel has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, including countless women and children.

The ongoing 15-month bombardment has ravaged the Gaza Strip, destroying hospitals, schools, and entire neighbourhoods. Despite a tenuous ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes have persisted, leading to additional casualties in the last 24 hours. Furthermore, Israel has restricted the supply of goods and electricity to Gaza, exerting economic pressure to influence ceasefire talks.

Yasmeen Lari’s Legacy and Dedication to Humanitarian Architecture

As Pakistan’s first female architect, Yasmeen Lari has committed her career to humanitarian and sustainable architecture, emphasizing the needs of marginalised communities. She co-founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan in 1980 with her husband, Suhail Zaheer Lari, and has since constructed over 50,0neighbourhoods00 eco-friendly, self-constructed shelters and 80,000 fuel-efficient stoves using natural materials such as mud, lime, and bamboo. 

Her contributions champion low-carbon, climate-resilient architecture, demonstrating that traditional construction methods can be sustainable and socially beneficial. In acknowledgement of her impact, Lari received the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Royal Gold Medal in 2023, which is one of the highest honours in international architecture. 

By refusing the Wolf Prize, Lari has reaffirmed her commitment to human rights and ethical responsibility, leveraging her platform to protest against the ongoing violence in Gaza. Her choice not only reflects a personal dedication to justice but also underscores the influence of global figures in advocating for change through principled actions.