Yasmeen Lari, a prominent Pakistani architect, has declined an Israeli award in protest against the ongoing atrocities committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza. The 84-year-old architect from Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab province has received numerous international accolades throughout her distinguished career.
A Legacy of Humanitarian Efforts
In 1980, Lari founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, through which she has contributed to the construction of sustainable shelters and eco-friendly cooking stoves using natural materials. Her humanitarian contributions were recognized in 2023 when she was awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
A Stand Against Injustice
According to The Express Tribune, an Israeli institution that annually honors leading architects selected Yasmeen Lari for an award this year. However, she explicitly declined, condemning the genocide of Palestinians and Israel’s crimes in Gaza. In a letter, she stated that accepting such an award was unacceptable given the situation.
Speaking to Arab News, Lari emphasized 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, calling it a small act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Pakistan’s Stance on Israel
Pakistan does not recognize the Israeli regime and maintains no official or unofficial relations with it. The Pakistani populace has consistently defended the cause of the Palestinian people and opposes any normalization of relations with Israel.
From: irna