Latifa Ibn Ziaten, the mother of a French soldier who was the first victim of the Islamist terrorist Mohammed Merah, was awarded the Chirac Foundation Prize in recognition for her personal efforts in promoting interreligious dialogue and deepening a culture of peace.
Ziaten, through her association Imad Ibn Ziaten Youth and Peace, has promoted many campaigns to bring greater interreligious understanding in homage to her son Imad Ibn Ziaten, a sergeant of the first parachutist regiment who was assassinated on 11 March 2012 by Mohammed Merah, the Islamist terrorists who later carried out several killings at a Jewish school in Toulouse and Montauban in France.
Her association has as its mission to create the enabling environment for a constructive and frank interfaith dialogue and the prevention of violent extremism, especially in some neighbourhoods where over the years a rise in radicalization has been witnessed.
The association runs programs in prisons and schools in attempts to lead Muslim youth away from violent extremism. A devout Muslim, Ziaten promotes secularism and the respect of the French law.
Established in 2008 by former French President Jacques Chirac, the Chirac Foundation aims at promoting the values of peace for all. French President François Hollande and Chirac's wife Bernadette were present at the ceremony in Paris on Thursday.
