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French President Emmanuel Macron awarded Ali Akbar the Chevalier of the French Order of Merit during a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris on January 28, 2026. Akbar, a 74-year-old newspaper vendor, has been selling newspapers along the streets of Saint-Germain-des-Pres in Paris for over five decades.
Akbar received this honor recognizing his dedicated service, having been active in the district since 1973. Despite the decline of traditional newspaper hawkers by the mid-1970s, as television took over as the primary news source, Akbar continued his work, bringing a lively spirit of humor and energy to his daily routine to support newspaper sales.
Born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar moved to France in 1973. His initial job involved selling copies of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo to students around the Sorbonne and nearby educational institutions. Over the years, he has become a beloved local figure, gaining recognition from international media and France’s top officials, including President Macron.
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