Sheikh Mohammed honours Palestinian architect with 'Great Arab Minds' award

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has awarded Palestinian architect Dr Suad Amiry with the Great Arab Minds title for her work in preserving architectural heritage.

Dr Amiry, Founder and Director of Riwaq Centre, has won in the Architecture and Design category.

She has been recognised for her work in documenting, restoring and reusing historic buildings in ways that serve communities and reinforce cultural identity, while protecting the country's heritage.

In his social media post, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted that Dr Amiry has "participated in an architectural documentation project that ranks among the largest in Palestine, resulting in a registry containing over 50,000 historical buildings and the revival of 50 historical centres".

The project provided work opportunities while training craftsmen in traditional building materials. She also led projects to revive villages and involve residents in restoring their homes.

"We congratulate Dr. Suad Amiry on her win and her decades-long dedication… May God preserve Palestine, restore to its buildings and historical villages the life they deserve, and extend its heritage as long as Arab memory endures," Sheikh Mohammed added. 

نهنئ الفائزة بجائزة نوابغ العرب عن فئة العمارة والتصميم لعام 2025، الدكتورة سعاد العامري من فلسطين، مؤسسة مركز المعمار الشعبي "رواق".
قدّمت إسهامات رائدة في الحفاظ على التراث المعماري الفلسطيني، وترميم المباني التاريخية وإعادة توظيفها بما يعزّز الهوية العمرانية. كما شاركت في… pic.twitter.com/jzB6lf1jMu

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 14, 2025

Dr Amiry has also produced important research on Palestinian architecture, documenting traditional houses with exceptional detail, including stonework, flooring, decorative elements, and architectural layouts.