Macron Awards Egypt’s Jehan Zaki France’s Highest Civilian Honor

French President Emmanuel Macron has awarded Egyptian parliamentarian and Egyptologist Dr. Jehan Zaki the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor), France’s highest civilian distinction, in recognition of her distinguished contributions to culture, diplomacy, and the promotion of peace and intercultural understanding.

The decision, published Monday in France’s Journal Officiel, listed Dr. Zaki among a select group of international figures honored for dedicating their lives to the service of humanity and for upholding universal values such as knowledge, tolerance, and equality—beyond the boundaries of geography, ethnicity, or religion.

A professor of ancient Egyptian civilization and a current member of Egypt’s House of Representatives, Dr. Zaki was nominated for the honor by France’s Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs. The award highlights her pivotal role in cultural diplomacy and her sustained efforts to foster dialogue between civilizations.

Dr. Zaki has long served as a prominent intellectual voice representing Egyptian, Arab, and African cultural heritage on the global stage. Her advocacy has helped elevate Egypt’s image as a soft power rooted in a deep and diverse civilizational legacy.

A formal ceremony for the medal presentation is scheduled for the fall at the historic Légion d’honneur palace on the banks of the River Seine in Paris. The event is expected to draw high-ranking international and cultural figures.