Rabat – Moroccan-French activist, Latifa Ibn Ziaten, received on Thursday the National Order of Merit, a decoration given by French presidents to French nationals with distinguished civil or military achievements.
After the Legion of Honor, which was awarded to her in 2016 by then President President François Hollande, Latifa Ibn Ziaten was promoted to the rank of officer in the National Order of Merit by Emmanuel Macron.
Je suis très honorée de recevoir les insignes d’Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, décernés par le Président de la République Emmanuel Macron, et remis par M. François Hollande. C’est une reconnaissance et un encouragement pour poursuivre mon engagement. #latifaibnziaten pic.twitter.com/VMB0W0d50o
— Latifa Ibn Ziaten (@LatifaIbnZ) October 5, 2023
“I am very honored to receive the distinction of Officer of the National Order of Merit, awarded by the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, and presented by François Hollande. It is recognition and encouragement to continue my work,” Ibn Ziaten wrote in a post on X.
In a letter dated December 31, 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his decision to promote the Moroccan-French activist.
The decoration took place during a ceremony held at the Paris City Hall, where former President François Hollande presented Ibn Ziaten with the new distinction.
— Latifa Ibn Ziaten (@LatifaIbnZ) October 5, 2023
Mother of five children, Ibn Ziaten rose to prominence with the creation of the Imad Ibn Ziaten Youth Association for Peace.
The creation of the association came in the wake of a terrorist attack that claimed the life of her son Imad Ibn Ziaten, sergeant of the 1st Paratroop Regiment who was killed by terrorist Mohammed Merah in 2012.
Through the NGO, she has worked to help young people in underserved areas and to promote secularism and interreligious dialogue.
Alongside President Hollande, she Alongside President Hollande, she previously received Latifa Ibn Ziaten previously received the Prize for Prevention Conflict from the Chirac Foundation Foundation for her commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue and a culture of peace.
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