France hands Secularism Prize over to co-chair of Syria’s Raqqa Civil Council
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Secular Republican Committeein France decided to award the Secularism Prize to a number of French and international personalities, including the co-chair of Raqq’s Civil Council, Laila Mustafa, for her contributions to the defense of secularism.
“Secularism Prize” award is presented by interministerial committee for secularism in France to those considered to have made the greatest contribution to secularism through spreading the values of this law as well as defending it.
The ceremonies were carried out in the municipality of Paris, where the mayor handed over the award to the representative of north and east Syria, Khalid Issa, who represented Mrs. Laila Mustafa, in the presence of Minister Delegate in charge of Citizenship and Equality in addition to a number of political and social figures.
“Granting this award is an appreciation for the lives of over 13,000 martyrs and about 23,000 wounded, who we struggle to treat,” Issa said in a speech he made during the ceremonies.
“Some believe that the Islamic State (ISIS) has been eliminated, while we are still facing the risk of its sleeper cells, which are still active due to the regional support they receive. Yesterday, a car was exploded in a square in Raqqa reporting casualties and a Turkish drone targeted a civil car killing three civilians in the same day,” Issa added.
In October of 2017, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the support of the US-led Global Coalition managed to expel ISIS militants from the city of Raqqa, which was its capital in Syria.
In September, Laila Mustafa, daughter of Raqqa, was also awarded the International World Mayor Award of the year 2021, which is presented by the City Mayors Foundation to the most distinguished mayors of the world who have served their citizens with integrity, justice and equality.