Pulitzer Prize Winner Jhumpa Lahiri Rejects Award Due to New York Museum's Keffiyeh Ban

September 26 :
Author Jhumpa Lahiri turned down an award from the Noguchi Museum in New York City after three employees were fired for complying with the museum's new dress code and wearing keffiyeh head scarves, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. The museum released a statement on September 25 stating that Jhumpa Lahiri had decided to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award due to the institution's new dress code guideline.

"We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone's views." "Interpreter of Maladies" was Lahiri's 2000 Pulitzer Prize winning novel.

First to publish the story was the New York Times. The black-and-white keffiyeh head scarf, a symbol of Palestinian self-determination, has been worn by protestors around the world who are calling for an end to Israel's war in Gaza. In opposition against apartheid Nelson Mandela, the leader of South Africa, was also spotted wearing the scarf multiple times.

However, others who advocate for Israel see this as showing sympathy for radicalism. An attack in Vermont in November resulted in the shooting deaths of three students of Palestinian heritage. Two of them wore keffiyehs. Continued Israeli attacks on Gaza have uprooted practically the entire population and killed tens of thousands. It came after a murderous assault on Israel by Palestinian militants affiliated with Hamas on October 7.

Isamu Noguchi, a Japanese American sculptor, established this museum. Last month, the institution implemented a policy that staff members are not to wear any items that convey "political messages, slogans or symbols." The company let go of three workers. As a result of their views on the conflict between Israel and Gaza, several Americans have also lost their employment.

After a Palestinian American nurse referred to Israel's conduct in Gaza as "genocide" while accepting an award in May, her employer in New York City dismissed her. Israel vehemently rejects the genocide accusations leveled by South Africa before the World Court.