During a special courtesy meeting held at the State Guest House Jamuna, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus urged Islamic NGOs to play a more proactive role in expanding social business initiatives for the betterment of the Muslim world.

He stated:

“We work with women, we work in healthcare. The poor often suffer most from lack of healthcare. We have approached healthcare as a means of poverty alleviation. Social business is a powerful tool for driving such support. I am encouraging youth across the globe to become entrepreneurs through social business.”

The event was attended by NGO leaders from over 10 Muslim countries, including:

Eyüp Akbal – Secretary General, Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), Türkiye
Muhammed Hüseyin Akta – Representative, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), Türkiye
Fauwaz bin Hasbullah – WADAH Malaysia & Deputy Secretary General, UNIW
Muhammad Abdus Shakoor – President, Alkhidmat Foundation, Pakistan & Deputy Secretary General, UNIW

Dr. Salamun Basri – Auditing Board Member, UNIW, Indonesia

 

Representing Bangladesh:

Professor Mahbub Ahmed – Former Professor, University of Dhaka & Chairman, BIIT
S. M. Rasheduzzaman – Chairman, SAWAB & High Advisory Board Member, UNIW
Dr. Ali Afzal – Council Member, UNIW & Managing Director, Krishibid Group
Dr. M. Abdul Aziz – Director General, BIIT & Country Representative, IIIT

Mr. S. M. Rasheduzzaman, Chairman of SAWAB, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Professor Yunus for his valuable time and visionary advice. He said: “Your insights and leadership are a source of inspiration for organizations like ours. We are committed to fighting poverty, unemployment, and inequality through social business.”

Special thanks to the NTV team for their excellent coverage and journalism in bringing this important event to the public eye.

This gathering marked a new chapter—uniting Islamic NGOs in building a sustainable, humane, and innovative Muslim world through active engagement and partnership.