BERLIN
Two women of Turkish origin – a Red Cross volunteer and an environment activist - were among those awarded Germany’s Order of Merit Sunday.
Gulsum Aytekin and Gulcan Nitsch received the honor from President Joachim Gauck at the Schloss Bellevue in Berlin.
Aytekin, a volunteer with the German Red Cross’s family affairs section, and Nitsch, who raises environmental awareness among Turks in Germany, were among 37 recipients of the award, Germany’s only federal decoration.
“These people are there when they are needed,” Gauck said. “They support young and old people, help people in need, fight with right-wing extremism, conduct works on good relations and bringing different cultures together. That is why you are great.”
Nitsch said she was proud to receive the award, adding she accepted it on behalf of fellow volunteers.
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