Algerian Malika Ahmed Zadi wins Ramon Llull International Prize

Barcelona (ACN).- Algerian professor Malika Ahmed Zadi has been awarded with the 20^th Ramon Llull International Prize for her role in the defence of the Amazigh community’s rights and the protection and promotion of their language. The prize is an initiative of the Foundation Conference of Catalan Culture and the Institute Ramon Llull. The Foundation annually recognises people from abroad who fight for the protection of the Catalan language or, in the case of this year, for the social and linguistic rights of minorities from all over the world.

Malika Ahmed Zadi is a member of the Scientific Council Linguapax and a delegate for Algeria in Linguapax Africa. She is a professor and the Head of Research and Thought for post-graduate studies in the Faculty of Economics and Management at the University Moluloud Mammeri in Algeria. Ahmed Zadi is also a leader of the linguistic, cultural and social movements of the Amazigh community. Her research is appreciated internationally.

The International Ramon Llull Prize usually recognises people or organisations from outside Catalonia that fight for the culture and language of nations without a state or other minority communities. However, the director of the Institute Ramon Llull, Josep Bargalló, said that the value distinguishes “a professional, academic and scientific career of high standards not only within the local community, but also on an international level”.

Bargalló added that the award is also a collective gratitude “to a language –Amazigh- to a territory, and to a people that for many years have suffered for the recognition of their language”. Ahmed Zadi accepted and welcomed the prize in French, though she started her speech in Catalan.