Macron Honors Franco-Moroccan Activist with National Order of Merit Promotion

"I am very pleased to inform you that I have decided to promote you to the rank of officer in the National Order of Merit. [...] This prestigious distinction, which I have personally decided to award you, rewards your commitment to the service of France," the French president wrote in a letter dated December 31 addressed to the Franco-Moroccan activist.

On Twitter, the recipient expressed her deep gratitude. "Infinitely happy and honored to have been promoted by President Emmanuel Macron to the rank of officer in the National Order of Merit in recognition of the fight I am leading. I feel a deep sense of gratitude. This distinction honors me and goes straight to my heart," she wrote.

Ms. Ziaten had founded the IMAD association for Youth and Peace following the assassination of her son Imad (a soldier) in Toulouse on March 11, 2012. He had been killed by the terrorist Mohammed Merah. With her association, she promotes dialogue with young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods, helps them and travels around France to testify about her ordeal but also to try to understand the reasons that can motivate such acts.

This woman from Tetouan has also tried her hand at writing. She has several books to her credit, including Mort pour la France : Mohamed Merah a tué mon fils ; Dis-nous Latifa c’est quoi la tolérance or Latifa, une femme dans la République. She has received several awards for her activism, including the Moroccan Trophy of the World in 2018, the Women of Courage Award in 2016. In 2015, she received the rank of knight of the Legion of Honor.