LONDON: Pakistani origin Asma Ashraf has been rewarded by France’s prestigious National Order of Merit for her services in areas of education and social welfare for the French society.
The French government has given Asma Ashraf the National Order of Merit which is the second national order after the Legion of Honour. This award is given to people who have distinguished merits in the exercise of public, civil, or military function or of private activity for at least 10 years.
Speaking to a private channel, Ashraf said she is honoured to have received this medal which is a recognition of the hard work she has been employing over the years. She said that she sees this honourable recognition as a testament of the values she stands for. “I hope to encourage others to carry forward this legacy. I have a lot of projects in mind and I am looking forward to being able to deliver them,” Asma said.
Asma added that the French government has recognised her in her capacity as Director & Founder of Femme Relais Médiatrice İnterculturelle de Champigny (FRMİC) which provides counselling and solutions to intercultural women.
Asma Ashraf is the only woman of Pakistani origin in France to receive this medal. She was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and moved with her parents to Paris, France, in 1977 at the age of 3.
She studied Business Management and got involved in organising social and cultural activities. Her sister Saima Ashraf is a Labour Party councillor for the Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
