Muhammad Yunus:Facts about Leader of Bangladesh Interim Government

Bangladesh President Announces Interim Government and Orders Khaleda Zia’s Release

In a significant political move, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the formation of an interim government following the dissolution of parliament. This decision comes amid escalating political tensions, further heightened by the president’s order to release former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Student Protesters Nominate Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser

Amidst the political turmoil, student protesters have proposed Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus to be the chief adviser for the interim government. In a Facebook video posted early Tuesday morning, Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, declared the students’ decision.

“We have decided that internationally renowned Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus will be appointed as the chief adviser in the interim government, and we have also spoken with Dr Muhammad Yunus. He has agreed to take on this significant responsibility in response to the call of the students and public to safeguard Bangladesh,” said Islam.

Who is Muhammad Yunus? Five Key Facts

1. Early Life and Education: Born on June 28, 1940, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus grew up in a well-off family. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Dhaka University before receiving a Fulbright scholarship to study economics at Vanderbilt University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1969. Yunus later became an assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University before returning to Bangladesh to head the economics department at Chittagong University.
2. Founder of Grameen Bank: In 1983, Yunus established the Grameen Bank, founded on the belief that “credit is a fundamental human right.” The bank aimed to help poor people escape poverty by providing micro-loans on suitable terms and teaching financial principles. This initiative evolved into a global movement revolutionizing finance through micro-lending.
3. Nobel Peace Prize and Other Honors: Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his micro-finance efforts. His numerous accolades include the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal, and World Food Prize, among others. He served as a board member of the United Nations Foundation from 1998 to 2021.
4. Political Aspirations: In 2007, Yunus announced plans to establish the “Citizen Power” party to transform Bangladesh’s political culture. However, his efforts were hindered by the country’s political instability and periods of military rule.
5. Legal Troubles: Since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return to power in 2008, Yunus has faced various legal challenges. Accused of promoting homosexuality in a state-led smear campaign, he was forced out of Grameen Bank in 2011. In 2022, Yunus faced embezzlement charges and, despite having over 100 charges against him, he was sentenced to six months in jail in January but granted bail in March.