Dear Community
It is with heavy heart that I share with you the news of the passing of Andras Riedlmayer today, February 9, 2026, after a short stay at the hospital.
Andras was 79 years old. He was born in Budapest, Hungary and studied at the University of Chicago and Princeton University, In 1985 he became the Aga Khan Librarian and the director of the Documentation Center for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University’s Fine Arts Library where he stayed until 2020.
Andras was expert witness for the prosecution on the systematic destruction of cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992 and 1996, and destruction of cultural heritage of Kosovo in 1999, at the ICTY in the trials of Serbian leaders in the Bosnian War. His advocacy for the preservation of the Bosnian and Kosovan heritage in the face of ethnic cleansing wars was relentless despite the dangers to his person and reputation. His pioneering work documenting how architecture was used as an instrument of genocide in Bosnia and Kosovo was crucial in establishing that architectural destruction constitutes a weapon of war, a recognition formalized through his testimonies in the ICTY. In fact, Andras was a committed and passionate defender of human rights and cultural preservation in many contexts in our sadly violent age: Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and elsewhere.
But above all, Andras was, in the words of Professor Azra Aksamija of MIT, “the most generous, kind, and humble genius who always shared his encyclopedic knowledge with everyone who sought his help.” She, like many of our graduates at both MIT and Harvard, remembers his “dedicated mentorship,” which helped many anchor their research in its proper scholarly context. His formidable linguistic ability, vast scholarly knowledge in all things Islamic art and architecture, and above all altruistic attitude toward all who seek his advice were legendary.
I extend my and AKPIA’s sincerest condolences to Andras’s family. We will let the community know the arrangement for any memorial for him are finalized.
Nasser
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Professor Rabbat won the Arab Book Award 2025, Doha, Qatar, Second Prize, History Section for Taqiy al-Din al-Maqrizi: Wijdan al-Tarikh al-Masri.
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Please join us in congratulating our very own Professor Nasser Rabbat on his induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences—one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies!
A renowned scholar, thought leader, and passionate educator, Professor Rabbat’s work continues to shape the fields of Islamic architecture, urban history, and cultural heritage. His induction is a testament not only to his extraordinary scholarship but also to his enduring impact on students, colleagues, and the global academic community.
We are proud, honored, and truly inspired. Bravo, Professor Rabbat! 
#NasserRabbat#AmericanAcademyofArtsandSciences#FacultySpotlight#ProudMoment#AcademicExcellence
Congratulations to Professor Nasser Rabbat!
On November 28, 2024, Professor Nasser Rabbat was honored with the prestigious Honorary Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management by ICCROM-Sharjah, in a ceremony held in Sharjah, UAE. This distinguished award recognizes his outstanding contributions to the field of heritage studies and Islamic architecture, particularly his pioneering research and influential publications that have shaped the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage in the Arab region.
In addition to this recognition, ICCROM-Sharjah will also publish a comprehensive collection of Professor Rabbat’s scholarly articles on heritage studies, showcasing his work from the past decade. This collection will serve as an invaluable resource for future generations of scholars and practitioners, further cementing his legacy as a leading figure in cultural heritage conservation.
Professor Rabbat’s unwavering dedication to preserving the rich history and architecture of the Islamic world continues to inspire and elevate the field. This honor is a well-deserved acknowledgment of his enduring impact on the discipline.
Announcement: https://www.facebook.com/ICCROMShj/
Prof. Rabbat’s Instagram video message in Arabic below:
https://www.instagram.com/iccrom_sharjah/reel/DC7QgN_SJ_n
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5th Palestine-Quebec Science Bridge (PQSB) Call Applications
Launch of the 5th Palestine-Quebec Science Bridge (PQSB) Call Applications *due Dec 15, 2024*
The PQSB program, which aims at fostering scientific collaborations by promoting the international mobility of Palestinian and Quebecer researchers, is coordinated and implemented by the Palestine Academy for Science and Technology (PALAST) and the Fonds de Recherche Du Quebec – Nature Et Technologies (FRQNT), Santé (FRQS), and Société Et Culture (FRQSC).
https://www.palast.ps/en/news/launch-5th-palestine-quebec-science-bridge-pqsb-call?language_content_entity=en
In Arabic https://www.palast.ps/sites/default/files/inline-files/launch%205th%20PQSB%20call%20in%20Ar_0.pdf
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Nasser Rabbat Lecture at the MFA
Veni, vidi, mutatio: The Multicultural Roots of Islamic Architecture
Wednesday, October 9, 2019, 7:00 pm–8:00 pm Harry and Mildred Remis Auditorium (Auditorium 161)
FORTMED 2020
International Conference on Fortifications of the Mediterranean Coast
January 28, 2019 • 6 pm
The Shape of Light Cultural Heritage, Urban Architecture and Creativity in Muslim Settings
Nasser Rabbat
Atrium Conference Room Aga Khan Centre
London N1C 4DN
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-shape-of-light-tickets-53180589575 …