Italy Awards Sheikha Intisar Al-Salem Al-Ali the Order of Merit, Knight Commander Rank
Italy awards Sheikha Intisar Al-Ali the Order of Merit in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and women's empowerment
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
This decoration is Italy’s highest civilian honor, awarded by the President of the Italian Republic in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions across various humanitarian, social, and cultural fields.
The award ceremony took place yesterday, Friday, at an event celebrating the journey of Sheikha Entesar Al-Ali and her contributions to humanitarian and community work, as well as her sustained efforts in empowering women, supporting mental health, promoting human values, and fostering a culture of positivity and peace.
Lorenzo Morini, the Italian Ambassador to Kuwait, told KUNA that conferring upon Sheikha Entesar the title of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, awarded by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, honors her generous and steadfast commitment to supporting individuals living in vulnerable social conditions.
Morini added that her recognition stems from her special focus on Arab women and her numerous humanitarian initiatives, which have been distinguished by her leadership, initiative, and organizational skills—qualities that have made her a source of inspiration and a reference point for both Kuwaiti society and the international community as a whole.
He expressed pride and honor that the Italian Embassy is part of this important occasion, which recognizes the distinguished merits of Sheikha Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and highlights the role of her initiatives in strengthening relations and cooperation between Italy and Kuwait.
He clarified that the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was established in 1951 and is Italy’s highest national merit award, conferred upon Italian and foreign figures who have made exceptional contributions to society and humanity.
He noted that this honor comes within the context of a journey rich in humanitarian and community initiatives led by Sheikha Entesar Al-Ali, which has placed human empowerment, mental health enhancement, and capacity building at the core of her work. This approach is rooted in her belief that sustainable positive change begins with the individual, and that the most stable and progressive societies are those that invest in the psychological well-being of their members and empower them to realize their potential.
He highlighted that among the most prominent of these efforts is the Entesar Foundation, established by Sheikha Entesar to support Arab women affected by war and violence through specialized recovery programs based on psychodrama therapy. These programs help them overcome the effects of trauma, restore self-confidence, strengthen their ability to build more stable lives, and actively participate in their communities.
For her part, Sheikha Entesar Al-Ali expressed her pride in this high distinction from the Italian Republic, which affirms the humanitarian message that real change begins with the individual, and that building more peaceful and stable societies starts with caring for mental health, enhancing capabilities, and fostering belief in one’s value and ability to make a positive difference in life.
She thanked the Italian Republic for this honor, describing it as a renewed responsibility and an incentive to continue working for humanity, promoting a culture of positivity, empathy, and peace, and contributing to building a more humane future for coming generations.
She emphasized that humanitarian work is not limited to providing assistance but extends to empowering individuals and equipping them with the tools needed to overcome challenges, regain self-confidence, and discover their potential.
She also affirmed that this honor marks an important milestone in her journey, reflecting the significance of humanitarian and community initiatives launched from Kuwait whose impact extends beyond its borders, particularly in the fields of women’s empowerment, psychological recovery, and the promotion of a culture of peace and positivity.
It was noted that this honor highlights the role that humanitarian initiatives can play in building bridges of communication and cooperation among peoples, and in consolidating shared values based on respect for human beings, safeguarding their dignity, and enhancing their capacity to contribute to the construction of more stable and cohesive societies.
It is worth mentioning that Sheikh Entesar Al-Ali founded the “Al-Noor” initiative in 2013 with the aim of promoting a culture of positive thinking and fostering positive behaviors in Kuwaiti society, before expanding its areas of work in line with a comprehensive development vision that aligns with the objectives of “New Kuwait 2035” and contributes to building a more aware and sustainable society.
