Muhammad Yunus

File:Young-muhammad-yunus.jpg, in 1953]]

The third of nine children,{{cite web |url=http://muhammadyunus.org/content/view/19/34/lang,en/ |title=About Dr. Yunus: Family |publisher=MuhammadYunus.ORG |access-date=14 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416113101/http://muhammadyunus.org/content/view/19/34/lang,en/ |archive-date=16 April 2008}} Muhammad Yunus was born on 28 June 1940 to a Bengali Muslim family of Saudagars in the village of Bathua, by the Kaptai road at Hathazari in the Chittagong District of Bengal Presidency (now in Bangladesh).{{cite news |date=14 October 2006 |title=First loan he gave was $27 from own pocket |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/10/14/d6101401033.htm |access-date=22 August 2007 |newspaper=The Daily Star |archive-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518074321/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/10/14/d6101401033.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Haider |first=Mahtab |date=1 January 2007 |title=Muhammad Yunus: The triumph of idealism |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/dec/28/newyear07/heroes01.html |work=New Year Special: Heroes |publisher=New Age (Bangladesh) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107075121/http://www.newagebd.com/2006/dec/28/newyear07/heroes01.html |archive-date=7 January 2007 |access-date=11 September 2007}} His father was Haji Muhammad Dula Mia Saudagar, a Sufi jeweller, and his mother was Sufia Khatun. His early childhood was spent in the village. In 1944, his family moved to the city of Chittagong, and he moved from his village school to Lamabazar Primary School.{{cite interview |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |interviewer=Rahman, Matiur |url=http://www.prothom-alo.org/archive/news_details_mcat.php?dt=2006-10-14&issue_id=48&cat_id=4&nid=NzUxOA==&mid=NA== |script-title=bn:গিরেবর উপকাের লােগ োদেখ বਗ਼ োলাক অামােদর বઘাংেক টাকা জমা রাখেত এিগেয় এেসেছ ড় মઓহামઅদ ইউনકস |work=Prothom Alo |location=Dhaka |date=14 October 2003 |language=bn |access-date=9 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012174616/http://prothom-alo.org/archive/news_details_mcat.php?dt=2006-10-14&issue_id=48&cat_id=4&nid=NzUxOA==&mid=NA== |archive-date=12 October 2007 }} By 1949, his mother was afflicted with psychological illness. Later, he passed the matriculation examination from Chittagong Collegiate School ranking 16th out of 39,000 students in East Pakistan. During his school years, he was an active Boy Scout, and travelled to West Pakistan and India in 1952, and to Canada in 1955 to attend Jamborees. Later, while Yunus was studying at Chittagong College, he became active in cultural activities and won awards for drama. In 1957, he enrolled in the Department of Economics at Dhaka University and completed his BA in 1960 and MA in 1961.{{cite web |title=Muhammad Yunus: Bio – Nelson Mandela Foundation |url=https://www.nelsonmandela.org/muhammad-yunus-bio |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811094506/https://www.nelsonmandela.org/muhammad-yunus-bio |archive-date=11 August 2024 |language=en-ZA}}{{cite news |title=Muhammad Yunus Biographical , The Nobel Peace Prize 2006 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2006/yunus/biographical/ |work=NobelPrize.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807040730/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2006/yunus/biographical/ |archive-date=7 August 2024 }}

File:Muhammad Yunus at Chittagong Collegiate School.JPG, in 2003]]

After his graduation, Yunus joined the Bureau of Economics at Dhaka University as a research assistant to economists Nurul Islam and Rehman Sobhan. Later, he was appointed lecturer in economics in Chittagong College in 1961. During that time, he also set up a profitable packaging factory on the side. In 1965, he received a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States. He obtained his PhD in economics from Vanderbilt University through their Graduate Program in Economic Development in 1969.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanderbilt.edu/gped/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121211155230/http://www.vanderbilt.edu/gped/|url-status=dead|title=The Graduate Program in Economic Development – Vanderbilt University ...|date=11 December 2012|archive-date=11 December 2012}}{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Jim |date=3 Dec 2007 |title=Yunus to receive Nichols-Chancellor's Medal |url=http://www.vanderbilt.edu/register/articles?id=32834 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618095738/http://www.vanderbilt.edu/register/articles?id=32834 |archive-date=18 June 2008 |website=Vanderbilt Register}} From 1969 to 1972, Yunus was an assistant professor of economics at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Yunus founded a citizen's committee and ran the Bangladesh Information Center, with other Bangladeshis in the United States, to raise support for liberation. He also published the Bangladesh Newsletter from his home in Nashville. After the War, he returned to Bangladesh and was appointed to the government's Planning Commission headed by Nurul Islam. However, he found the job boring and resigned to join Chittagong University as head of the Economics department.{{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |url=https://archive.org/details/bankertopoormicr00yunu/page/20 |title=Banker to the Poor: micro-lending and the battle against world poverty |author2=Jolis, Alan |publisher=Public Affairs |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-58648-198-8 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bankertopoormicr00yunu/page/20 20–29]}} After observing the famine of 1974, he became involved in poverty reduction and established a rural economic programme as a research project. In 1975, he developed a Nabajug Tebhaga Khamar ({{lit|New Era Three-share Farm}}) which the government adopted as the Packaged Input Programme. To make the project more effective, Yunus and his associates proposed the Gram Sarkar ({{lit|Village government}}) programme.{{cite web |url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/awardees/awardee/profile/265 |title=Yunus, Muhammad |website=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation |access-date=17 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014221226/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/awardees/awardee/profile/265 |archive-date=14 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} Introduced by President Ziaur Rahman in the late 1970s, the government formed 40,392 village governments as a fourth layer of government in 2003. On 2 August 2005, in response to a petition by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), the High Court declared village governments illegal and unconstitutional.{{cite web |url=http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/432_1184159231_bangladesh-280607.doc |title=Bangladesh: Country of Origin Information Report |date=15 June 2007 |website=Country of Origin Information Service |location=UK |publisher=Border & Immigration Agency |format=DOC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927140733/http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/432_1184159231_bangladesh-280607.doc |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=9 September 2007}}

His concept of microcredit for supporting innovators in multiple developing countries also inspired programmes such as the Info lady Social Entrepreneurship Programme.{{cite news |last=Hossain |first=Farid |date=1 November 2012 |title=Internet Rolls Into Bangladesh Villages on a Bike |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2012/11/01/internet-rolls-into-bangladesh-villages-on-a-bike |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103626/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2012/11/01/internet-rolls-into-bangladesh-villages-on-a-bike |archive-date=10 April 2022 |access-date=21 February 2017 |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web |date=8 November 2012 |title=Info Ladies – Riding Internet into Rural Bangladesh! |url=http://amaderkotha.com.bd/2012/11/08/info-ladies-riding-internet-into-rural-bangladesh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317182454/http://amaderkotha.com.bd/2012/11/08/info-ladies-riding-internet-into-rural-bangladesh/ |archive-date=17 March 2014 |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=Amader Kotha}}{{cite news |last=Bouissou |first=Julien |date=30 July 2013 |title='Info ladies' go biking to bring remote Bangladeshi villages online |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/jul/30/bangladesh-bikes-skype-info-ladies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901054820/http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/jul/30/bangladesh-bikes-skype-info-ladies |archive-date=1 September 2022 |access-date=21 February 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London}}

{{Main|Grameen Bank}}

{{further|Grameen family of organizations}}

File:Grameen.JPG]]

In 1976, during visits to the poorest households in the village of Jobra near Chittagong University, Yunus discovered that very small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. Village women who made bamboo furniture had to take usurious loans to buy bamboo, and repay their profits to the lenders. Traditional banks did not want to make tiny loans at reasonable interest to the poor due to high risk of default.{{cite news |title=Profile: Muhammad Yunus, 'world's banker to the poor' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6047234.stm |work=BBC News |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=16 October 2006 |archive-date=4 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204233305/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6047234.stm |url-status=live }} But Yunus believed that, given the chance, the poor will not need to pay high interest on the money, can keep any profits from their own labour, and hence microcredit was a viable business model.{{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |year=2003 |title=Banker to the Poor: micro-lending and the battle against world poverty |author2=Jolis, Alan |publisher=PublicAffairs hc |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58648-198-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bankertopoormicr00yunu/page/46 46–49] |url=https://archive.org/details/bankertopoormicr00yunu/page/46 }} Yunus lent US$27 of his money to 42 women in the village, who made a profit of BDT 0.50 (US$0.02) each on the loan.{{cite web |title=Social Entrepreneurship – Creating Value for the Society - IJARIIT |url=https://www.ijariit.com/manuscripts/v3i2/V3I2-1568.pdf |publisher=International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823162332/https://www.ijariit.com/manuscripts/v3i2/V3I2-1568.pdf |access-date=28 December 2024|archive-date=23 August 2020 }} Thus, Yunus is credited with the idea of microcredit.{{cite web |title=Muhammad Yunus Facts , The Nobel Peace Prize 2006 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2006/yunus/facts/ |website=NobelPrize.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809024731/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2006/yunus/facts/ |archive-date=9 August 2024 }}

In December 1976, Yunus finally secured a loan from the government Janata Bank to lend to the poor in Jobra. The institution continued to operate, securing loans from other banks for its projects. By 1982, it had 28,000 members. On 1 October 1983, the pilot project began operation as a full-fledged bank for poor Bangladeshis and was renamed Grameen Bank ("Village Bank"). By July 2007, Grameen had issued US$6.38 billion to 7.4 million borrowers.{{Cite web|first=Muhammad|last=Yunus|date=September 2005|url=https://www.grameen-info.org/?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=175|title=GB at a glance|access-date=11 August 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107050654/http://www.grameen-info.org/grameen-bank-at-a-glance/|archive-date=7 January 2019}} To ensure repayment, the bank uses a system of "solidarity groups". These small informal groups apply together for loans and its members act as co-guarantors of repayment and support one another's efforts at economic self-advancement.

In the late 1980s, Grameen started to diversify by attending to underutilized fishing ponds and irrigation pumps like deep tube wells.{{cite web |url=http://203.112.193.71/grameen/gc/gfly.htm |title=Introduction |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |website=Grameen Family |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618033835/http://203.112.193.71/grameen/gc/gfly.htm |archive-date=18 June 2008 |access-date=7 September 2007}} In 1989, these diversified interests started growing into separate organisations. The fisheries project became Grameen Motsho ("Grameen Fisheries Foundation") and the irrigation project became Grameen Krishi ("Grameen Agriculture Foundation"). In time, the Grameen initiative grew into a multi-faceted group of profitable and non-profit ventures, including major projects like Grameen Trust and Grameen Fund, which runs equity projects like Grameen Software Limited, Grameen CyberNet Limited, and Grameen Knitwear Limited,{{cite web|url=http://www.grameen-info.org/grameen/gfund/venture.htm |title=Grameen Fund ventures on Grameen official website |publisher=Grameen-info.org |access-date=14 September 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012173538/http://grameen-info.org/grameen/gfund/venture.htm| archive-date = 12 October 2007}} as well as Grameen Telecom, which has a stake in Grameenphone (GP), the biggest private phone company in Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=64 |title=About Grameenphone |access-date=22 August 2007 |date=16 November 2006 |publisher=Grameenphone |quote=Grameenphone is now the leading telecommunications service provider in the country with more than 10 million subscribers as of November 2006. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810022333/http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=64 |archive-date=10 August 2007 }} From its start in March 1997 to 2007, GP's Village Phone (Polli Phone) project had brought cell-phone ownership to 260,000 rural poor in over 50,000 villages.{{cite web|url=http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=64 |title=Village Phone |access-date=22 August 2007 |year=2006 |work=About Grameenphone |publisher=Grameenphone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810022333/http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=64 |archive-date=10 August 2007 }}

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| quote = In 1974 we ended up with a famine in the country. People were dying of hunger and not having enough to eat. And that's a terrible situation to see around you. And I was feeling terrible that here I teach elegant theories of economics, and those theories are of no use at the moment with the people who are going hungry. So I wanted to see if as a person, as a human being, I could be of some use to some people.

| source = – Muhammad Yunus while talking about reason behind creating Grameen Bank{{Cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/05/talkasia.yunus/index.html |title=Interview with Muhammad Yunus |work=CNN Asia |date=2007 |access-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818164542/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/05/talkasia.yunus/index.html |url-status=live }}

| width = 25%

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The success of the Grameen microfinance model inspired similar efforts in about 100 developing countries and even in developed countries including the United States.{{cite news |date=23 October 2006 |title=Grameen Bank, a Nobel-winning concept |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/article3208913.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=9 September 2007}} Many microcredit projects retain Grameen's emphasis of lending to women. More than 94% of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and who are more likely than men to devote their earnings to their families.{{cite interview | last = Yunus | first = Muhammad | interviewer = Negus, George | title = World in Focus: Interview with Prof. Muhammad Yunus | type = Transcript of broadcast interview | url = http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s400630.htm | work = ABC | date = 25 March 1997 | access-date = 22 August 2007 | archive-date = 5 July 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170705235159/http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s400630.htm | url-status = live }}

For his work with Grameen, Yunus was named an Ashoka: Innovators for the Public Global Academy Member in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.ashoka.org/node/3798|title=Muhammad Yunus, Ashoka's Global Academy Member, Wins Nobel Peace Prize|publisher=Ashoka.org|date=13 October 2006|access-date=17 August 2007|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116084759/https://www.ashoka.org/node/3798|url-status=live}} According to Rashidul Bari, the Grameen's social business model has gone from being theory to an inspiring practice adopted globally by leading universities, entrepreneurs, social business and corporations.{{cite news |last=Posman |first=Jerald |date=26 January 2008 |title=In thrall to an agent of change |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-20577 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=1 November 2015 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807071851/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-20577 |url-status=live }}

In July 2007, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu convened a group of world leaders "to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to tackle some of the world's toughest problems."{{cite news |title=Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu announce The Elders |url=http://www.theelders.org/article/nelson-mandela-and-desmond-tutu-announce-elders |publisher=TheElders.org |date=18 July 2007 |access-date=1 May 2013 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002064243/http://theelders.org/article/nelson-mandela-and-desmond-tutu-announce-elders |url-status=live }} Nelson Mandela announced the formation of this new group, The Elders, in a speech he delivered on the occasion of his 89th birthday.{{cite news |date=20 July 2007 |title=Mandela joins 'Elders' on turning 89 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19836050 |work=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |access-date=24 August 2007 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029200526/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19836050 |url-status=live }} Yunus attended the launch of the group and was one of its founding members. He stepped down as an Elder in September 2009, stating that he was unable to do justice to his membership due to the demands of his work.{{cite news |title= Muhammad Yunus steps down |url= http://www.theelders.org/article/muhammad-yunus-steps-down |publisher= TheElders.org |date= 21 September 2009 |access-date= 1 May 2013 |archive-date= 13 May 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130513012658/http://www.theelders.org/article/muhammad-yunus-steps-down |url-status= dead }}

Yunus is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. Every year, the Panel releases a report, the Africa Progress Report, that outlines an issue of immediate importance to the continent and suggests a set of associated policies.{{cite web |url=http://africaprogresspanel.org/en/publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2012/ |title=Jobs, Justice and Equity: Seizing opportunities in times of global change |date=May 2012 |website=Africa Progress Panel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109214313/http://www.africaprogresspanel.org/en/publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2012/ |archive-date=9 January 2013}}

In July 2009, Yunus became a member of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation International Advisory Board to support the organisation's poverty reduction work.{{cite web|url=http://www.snvworld.org/en/aboutus/news/Pages/NewsPage0907001.aspx |title=SNV Netherlands Development Organisation establishes International Advisory Board |publisher=Snvworld.org |date=8 July 2009 |access-date=12 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728035635/http://www.snvworld.org/en/aboutus/news/Pages/NewsPage0907001.aspx |archive-date=28 July 2011 }}

Since 2010, Yunus has served as a Commissioner for the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, a UN initiative which seeks to use broadband internet services to accelerate social and economic development.{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandcommission.org/commissioners.html |title=Commissionners |publisher=Broadbandcommission.org |access-date=12 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514094219/http://www.broadbandcommission.org/commissioners.html |archive-date=14 May 2010 }}

In March 2016, he was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, which was co-chaired by presidents François Hollande of France and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.{{Cite web|url=http://www.who.int/hrh/com-heeg/comm_heeg_commissioners/en/|title=High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth|date=26 March 2016|website=WHO|access-date=12 December 2021|archive-date=26 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326233243/http://www.who.int/hrh/com-heeg/comm_heeg_commissioners/en/|url-status=dead}} Following the Rohingya genocide in 2016–2017, Yunus urged Myanmar to end violence against Rohingya Muslims.{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/world/yunus-suggests-7-point-proposal-resolving-rohingya-crisis-1461097|title=Yunus suggests 7-point proposal for resolving Rohingya crisis|work=The Daily Star|date=12 September 2017|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035206/http://www.thedailystar.net/world/yunus-suggests-7-point-proposal-resolving-rohingya-crisis-1461097|url-status=live}}

In 1996, Muhammad Yunus served as an advisor to the caretaker government led by former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman. He was responsible for overseeing the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests.{{Cite web |date=13 March 2019 |title=১৯৭১ সাল থেকে ০৭-০১-২০১৯ গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি, উপ-রাষ্ট্রপতি, প্রধানমন্ত্রী ও মন্ত্রিপরিষদের সদস্যবৃন্দ এবং নির্দলীয় তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকারের প্রধান উপদেষ্টা ও উপদেষ্টা পরিষদের সদস্যবৃন্দের দপ্তর বন্টনসহ নামের তালিকা |trans-title=1971 to 07-01-2019 List of names of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and Chief Advisers and Members of the Advisory Council of the Non-Partisan Caretaker Government with distribution of offices |url=https://cabinet.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/cabinet.portal.gov.bd/publications/e166b4bd_012d_4abe_85fc_e72aea80d8ed/1971-07.01.2019_bn_1_182%20(1).pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915183409/https://cabinet.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/cabinet.portal.gov.bd/publications/e166b4bd_012d_4abe_85fc_e72aea80d8ed/1971-07.01.2019_bn_1_182%20(1).pdf |archive-date=15 September 2024 |access-date=7 October 2024 |website=cabinet.gov.bd |language=Bengali}}{{Cite news |title=Those who were advisors in 1996 and 2001 |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/politics/article688054.bdnews |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240810020450/https://bangla.bdnews24.com/politics/article688054.bdnews |archive-date=2024-08-10 |access-date=2024-08-10 |work=bdnews24 |language=en}}

File:EL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPÚBLICA PRESIDIÓ LA CONDECORACIÓN A PREMIO NOBEL DE LA PAZ 2006 EN EL PALACIO DE TORRE TAGLE (5030853341).jpg]]

{{Further|Nagorik Shakti}}

In early 2006, Yunus, along with other members of the civil society including Rehman Sobhan, Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Kamal Hossain, Matiur Rahman, Mahfuz Anam and Debapriya Bhattacharya, participated in a campaign for honest and clean candidates in national elections.{{cite news |url=http://www.cpd-bangladesh.org/media/press_N17.html |title=Parliament with honest, efficient must for development |publisher=The New Nation |date=21 March 2006 |access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929175614/http://www.cpd-bangladesh.org/media/press_N17.html |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead }} He considered entering politics in the later part of that year.{{cite news |date=18 October 2006 |title=Yunus not willing to be caretaker chief |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/10/18/d6101801022.htm |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=18 August 2007}} On 11 February 2007, Yunus wrote an open letter, published in the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, where he asked citizens for views on his plan to float a political party to establish political goodwill, proper leadership and good governance. In the letter, he called on everyone to briefly outline how he should go about the task and how they can contribute to it.{{cite news |date=12 February 2007 |title=Yunus seeks people's views on floating political party |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/02/12/d7021201011.htm |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=18 August 2007 |archive-date=19 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119140554/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/02/12/d7021201011.htm |url-status=live }} Yunus finally announced that he is willing to launch a political party tentatively called Nagorik Shakti ({{lit|Citizens' Power}}) on 18 February 2007.{{cite news |first=Islam |last=Siddique |date=18 February 2007|title=Bangladesh Nobel Laureate Announces His Political Party's Name |url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006502326 |newspaper=All Headline News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220050932/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006502326 |archive-date=20 February 2007 |access-date=18 August 2007}}{{cite news|title='I will do politics of unity': Yunus names his party Nagorik Shakti |url=http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_34138.shtml |publisher=The New Nation |id=34138 |date=12 February 2007 |access-date=18 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175525/http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_34138.shtml |archive-date=27 September 2007 }} There was speculation that the army supported a move by Yunus into politics.{{cite news |first=Sabir |last=Mustafa |date=5 April 2007 |title=Bangladesh at a crossroads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6530781.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=18 August 2007 |quote=At first glance, the current state of Bangladesh appears to be a paradox: a country under a state of emergency, but where the general public seem quite content. |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301122756/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6530781.stm |url-status=live }} On 3 May, however, Yunus declared that he had decided to abandon his political plans following a meeting with the head of the caretaker government, Fakhruddin Ahmed.{{cite news |date=3 May 2007 |title=Yunus drops plans to enter politics |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2007/05/2008525143142288159.html |work=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 August 2007 |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021022232/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2007/05/2008525143142288159.html |url-status=live }}

File:20guramin01.jpg in 2010]]

{{Main|Interim government of Muhammad Yunus}}

File:President Joe Biden holds a pull-aside meeting with Interim Leader of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City.jpg with Chief Advisor Yunus at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City.]]

Amid the Student–People's uprising in Bangladesh, Yunus expressed support for the students and his distaste of the current government, and in August 2024, after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her departure to India, it was announced that Yunus would be chief adviser of the interim government.{{cite news |title=Nobel Laureate Tapped to Lead Interim Government in Bangladesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/world/asia/bangladesh-government.html |work=The New York Times |date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806190556/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/world/asia/bangladesh-government.html |archive-date=6 August 2024 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/world/celebrations-all-over-bangladesh-nobel-laureate-muhammad-yunus-lauds-student-protests-says-anger-against-hasina-erupted-8991374.html |title=Celebrations All Over': Bangladesh Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Lauds Student Protests, Says Anger Against Hasina Erupted |date=6 August 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |publisher=News18 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806010809/https://www.news18.com/amp/world/celebrations-all-over-bangladesh-nobel-laureate-muhammad-yunus-lauds-student-protests-says-anger-against-hasina-erupted-8991374.html |url-status=live }}

Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the transitional leader of the interim government on 7 August 2024 by president Mohammed Shahabuddin.{{Cite web |title=Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead Bangladesh interim government |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/6/nobel-laureate-yunus-to-lead-bangladesh-interim-govt-presidents-office |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en }} On 8 August 2024, he took the oath and has been serving as the Chief Advisor of the interim government.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-led-interim-govt-sworn-3672581 |title=Yunus-led interim govt sworn in |work=The Daily Star |date=8 August 2024 |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808232802/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-led-interim-govt-sworn-3672581 |url-status=live }} After the oath, he visited injured people in Dhaka Medical College.{{cite news |title=Dr Yunus visits injured victims of student movement at DMCH |url=https://www.bssnews.net/news/203050 |work=BSS |issue=9 August 2024 |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811183308/https://www.bssnews.net/news/203050 |url-status=live }} On 10 August 2024, he visited the home and family members of Abu Sayed.{{cite news |title=Abu Sayeed is a son to all families, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist: Dr Yunus in Rangur |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/ouiybt11wi |work=Prothom Alo |date=10 August 2024 |language=en |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811183307/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/ouiybt11wi |url-status=live }} He also visited injured student protesters in the Rangpur Medical College.{{cite news |title=Yunus visits injured students at Rangpur hospital |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-visits-injured-students-rangpur-hospital-3674136 |work=The Daily Star |date=11 August 2024 |language=en}} Following communal violence after Hasina's resignation, Yunus threatened to resign if the violence continued{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/bangladesh-interim-leader-yunus-threatens-to-quit-over-violence-1815279 |title=Bangladesh Interim Leader Yunus Threatens to Quit Over Violence |date=9 August 2024 |access-date=9 August 2024 |website=Deccan Chroncide |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809234751/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/bangladesh-interim-leader-yunus-threatens-to-quit-over-violence-1815279 |url-status=live }} and vowed to crack down on conspirators of the attacks.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/bangladesh-unrest-muhammad-yunus-interim-government-sheikh-hasina-protests-hindus-attacked-2579505-2024-08-09 |title=Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus vows crackdown on 'conspirators' amid deadly unrest |date=9 August 2024 |access-date=9 August 2024 |website=India Today |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809045145/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/bangladesh-unrest-muhammad-yunus-interim-government-sheikh-hasina-protests-hindus-attacked-2579505-2024-08-09 |url-status=live }}

File:Muhammad Yunus in COP29 Baku, Azerbaijan.jpg Ilham Aliyev (left) and the Secretary-general of the United Nations António Guterres (right) in COP29 Baku, Azerbaijan, 11 November 2024]]

As Chief Adviser, Yunus has pledged to continue providing humanitarian aid to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and support the garment industry amid disruptions caused by the unrest prior to his appointment.{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240818-bangladesh-s-yunus-reassures-on-rohingya-refugees-garment-exports |title=Bangladesh's Yunus reassures on Rohingya refugees, garment exports |date=9 August 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024 |website=France 24 |archive-date=18 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818145608/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240818-bangladesh-s-yunus-reassures-on-rohingya-refugees-garment-exports |url-status=live }}

File:Muhammad Yunus and Ursula von der Leyen.jpg as the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh]]

On 16 December 2024, Yunus announced that general elections would be held in late 2025 or early 2026.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/16/bangladesh-plans-to-hold-elections-in-late-2025-or-early-2026 |title=Bangladesh plans to hold elections in late 2025 or early 2026 |date=16 December 2024 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Al Jazeera }}

In his capacity as Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus has taken initiatives to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure and support inclusive economic growth.

In March 2025, Yunus announced that Bangladesh would finalize a commercial agreement with SpaceX's Starlink within three months. The initiative aims to deliver reliable satellite internet across the nation and prevent political disruptions from leading to internet blackouts, as happened in the past.{{cite news |last=Paul |first=Ruma |date=25 March 2025 |title=Bangladesh to secure Starlink internet deal within three months, says interim leader |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/bangladesh-secure-starlink-internet-deal-within-three-months-says-interim-leader-2025-03-25/ |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Reuters}}

Yunus emphasized that satellite internet through Starlink would allow broader access to education, health services, and entrepreneurship, especially in rural and underserved regions. He also expressed interest in collaborating with Elon Musk to unlock Bangladesh’s potential through digital innovation.{{cite news |date=15 February 2025 |title=Muhammad Yunus, Musk hold talks to bring Starlink internet to Bangladesh |url=https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/muhammad-yunus-musk-hold-talks-to-bring-starlink-internet-to-bangladesh-125021500759_1.html |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Business Standard}}

In April 2025, Yunus addressed the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to building a climate-resilient and inclusive digital economy. He highlighted the government's investments in green infrastructure, sustainable housing, and nature-based solutions to support vulnerable populations.{{cite news |date=16 April 2025 |title=CA Yunus: Bangladesh committed to building inclusive, climate-resilient economy |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/379299/ca-yunus-bangladesh-committed-to-building |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}

The second Awami League government announced a review of Grameen Bank activities on 11 January 2011.{{cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Farid |date=14 January 2011 |title=Nobel-winning microcredit bank comes under scrutiny |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/14/bangladesh.microcredit/ |work=CNN |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103631/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/14/bangladesh.microcredit/ |url-status=live }} In February 2011, several international leaders, such as Mary Robinson, stepped up their defence of Yunus through a number of efforts, including the founding of a formal network of supporters known as "Friends of Grameen".{{cite news |date=18 February 2011 |title=Huge support for Yunus |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-174549 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809120414/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-174549 |url-status=live }}

On 15 February 2011, the Finance Minister of Bangladesh, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, declared that Yunus should "stay away" from Grameen Bank while it is being investigated.{{cite news |date=15 February 2011 |title=Bangladesh Nobel winner Yunus should 'stay away' |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hSRutw1eN77XQl0Bg550Bt8RUKCQ?docId=CNG.894a7c75aef1b21ccc3d7b40f8d06875.9b1 |agency=Agence France-Presse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525032942/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hSRutw1eN77XQl0Bg550Bt8RUKCQ?docId=CNG.894a7c75aef1b21ccc3d7b40f8d06875.9b1 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |access-date=10 March 2011}} On 2 March 2011, Muzammel Huq, a former Bank employee, whom the government had appointed chairman in January, announced that Yunus had been fired as managing director of the Bank.{{cite news |last=Polgreen |first=Lydia |date=29 January 2011 |title=Bangladesh Inspects Grameen Bank and Muhammad Yunus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/world/asia/30bangladesh.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617083541/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/world/asia/30bangladesh.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=2 March 2011 |title=Bangladesh Trying To Fire Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate, From Microlender Grameen |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/bangladesh-fires-nobel-yunus-microlender_n_830176.html |work=Huffington Post |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305110524/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/bangladesh-fires-nobel-yunus-microlender_n_830176.html |url-status=live }} However, Bank General Manager Jannat-E Quanine issued a statement that Yunus was "continuing in his office" pending review of the legal issues surrounding the controversy.{{cite web |url=http://grameen.com/dmdocuments/Statement/Statement_of_GB_English.gif |title=Statement of Grameen Bank |website=Grameen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711121854/http://grameen.com/dmdocuments/Statement/Statement_of_GB_English.gif |archive-date=11 July 2011 }}

In March 2011, Yunus petitioned the Bangladesh High Court challenging the legality of the decision by the Bangladeshi Central Bank to remove him as managing director of Grameen Bank.{{cite news |date=3 March 2011 |title=Yunus files writ petition against his removal |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/yunus-files-writ-petition-against-his-removal |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421113453/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/yunus-files-writ-petition-against-his-removal |url-status=live }} The same day, nine elected directors of Grameen Bank filed a second petition.{{cite news |date=3 March 2011 |title=Another writ petition filed challenging govt decision |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-28711 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=8 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708094417/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-28711 |url-status=live }} U.S. Senator John Kerry expressed his support to Yunus in a statement on 5 March 2011 and declared that he was "deeply concerned" by this affair.{{cite news |date=5 March 2011 |title=US senator Kerry 'deeply concerned' at Yunus removal |work=Daily Nation |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/world/1068-1119414-15tfcmv/ |access-date=29 June 2017 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803064714/https://nation.africa/kenya/news/world/1068-1119414-15tfcmv/ |url-status=live }} The same day in Bangladesh, thousands of people protested and formed human chains to support Yunus.{{cite news |last=Alam |first=Shafiq |date=5 March 2011 |title=Thousands in Bangladesh protest at Yunus sacking |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/thousands-bangladesh-protest-yunus-sacking-20110305-052741-786.html |newspaper=Yahoo News |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=28 March 2011 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103631/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/thousands-bangladesh-protest-yunus-sacking-20110305-052741-786.html |url-status=live }} The High Court hearing on the petitions, was planned for 6 March 2011 but postponed. On 8 March 2011, the Court confirmed Yunus's dismissal.{{cite news |date=8 March 2011 |title=Bangladesh judge confirms Yunus sacking |url=http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1/6141-bangladesh-judge-confirms-yunus-sacking.html |newspaper=Business Recorder |location=Karachi |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208123053/http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1/6141-bangladesh-judge-confirms-yunus-sacking.html |url-status=live }}

File:Dr. Yunus Reveals his new Bbook at Muktadhara.jpg

The allegations against Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank were made in a context where some people began to question the effectiveness of microfinance, prompted by the actions of some for-profit microfinance institutions (MFIs) in India and Mexico.{{cite news |last=Epstein |first=Keith |date=13 December 2007 |title=Compartamos: From Nonprofit to Profit |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_52/b4064045919628.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217032824/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_52/b4064045919628.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 December 2007 |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |access-date=9 March 2011}} Coercion, peer pressure and physical harassment were reportedly used as loan repayment practices in some specific MFIs.{{cite news |url=http://morungexpress.com/the-need-for-a-balanced-development-policy/ |title=The need for a balanced development policy |newspaper=The Morung Express |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=30 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030055953/http://morungexpress.com/the-need-for-a-balanced-development-policy/ |url-status=dead }} Commercialisation of microcredit{{cite news |date=21 February 2011 |title=Profit-focused MFIs are loan sharks: Yunus |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Profit-focused-MFIs-are-loan-sharks-Yunus/articleshow/7537341.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515101045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/profit-focused-mfis-are-loan-sharks-yunus/articleshow/7537341.cms |url-status=live }} prompted Yunus to state that he "never imagined that one day microcredit would give rise to its own breed of loan sharks."{{cite web|url=http://www.muhammadyunus.org/Yunus-Centre-Highlights/from-microcredit-to-loan-shark/ |title=Sacrificing Microcredit for Megaprofits |website=Yunus Centre |access-date=10 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210155437/http://www.muhammadyunus.org/Yunus-Centre-Highlights/from-microcredit-to-loan-shark/ |archive-date=10 February 2011}}

The lure of profits attracted some for-profit MFIs to hold initial public offerings (IPOs), including the largest Indian MFI, SKS Microfinance, which held an IPO in July 2010.{{cite news |last=Kinetz |first=Erika |date=28 July 2010 |title=SKS Launches India's First Microfinance IPO |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9H86ICG2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623052910/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9H86ICG2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 June 2015 |newspaper=Bloomberg Businessweek |agency=Associated Press |access-date=10 March 2011}} In September 2010, Yunus criticised the IPO; in a debate with SKS founder Vikram Akula during the Clinton Global Initiative meeting,{{cite news |last=Bahree |first=Megha |date=11 October 2010 |title=A Big Split Over Microfinance |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2010/1011/companies-akula-yunus-iskenderian-clinton-global-big-split.html |work=Forbes |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151913/http://www.forbes.com/global/2010/1011/companies-akula-yunus-iskenderian-clinton-global-big-split.html |url-status=live }} he said, "Microcredit is not about exciting people to make money off the poor. That's what you're doing. That's the wrong message completely." Calculations of actual interest rate vary, but one estimate puts average Grameen rates at about a 23% interest rate (comparable to the inflation rate).{{cite web |url=http://www.cgdev.org/blog/quick-whats-grameen-banks-interest-rate |title=Quick: What's the Grameen Bank's Interest Rate? |work=Center For Global Development |access-date=16 April 2013 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303125011/https://www.cgdev.org/blog/quick-whats-grameen-banks-interest-rate |url-status=live }} Also see what annual interest do NGOs earn from a fixed initial capital?{{cite news |url=https://nanova.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MicroFinanceInterestBangladesh.pdf |title=What annual interest do NGOs earn from a fixed initial capital? |work=The Porshi Magazine, San Jose, CA |access-date=1 April 2006 |archive-date=13 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813191558/https://nanova.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MicroFinanceInterestBangladesh.pdf |url-status=live }}

In December 2010, Grameen Bank was quickly cleared by the Norwegian government of all allegations surrounding misused or misappropriated funds. Yet, in March 2011, the Bangladeshi government launched a three-month investigation of all Grameen Bank's activities. This inquiry prevented Muhammad Yunus from participating in the World Economic Forum.{{cite web |url=http://www.forumblog.org/socialentrepreneurs/2011/01/social-entrepreneurs-impact-world-leaders.html |title=Social Entrepreneurs Impact World Leaders |date=25 January 2011 |website=Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202102633/http://www.forumblog.org/socialentrepreneurs/2011/01/social-entrepreneurs-impact-world-leaders.html |archive-date=2 February 2011 |access-date=10 March 2011}}

In January 2011, Yunus appeared in court in a defamation case filed by a local politician from a minor left-leaning party in 2007, complaining about a statement that Yunus made to the AFP news agency, "Politicians in Bangladesh only work for power. There is no ideology here".{{cite web |author=Hafez Ahmed |url=http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=17832&date=2011-01-18 |title=Prof Yunus appears in court today |website=Newstoday.com.bd |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303021446/http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=17832&date=2011-01-18 |url-status=live }} At the hearing, Yunus was granted bail and exempted from personal appearance at subsequent hearings.{{cite news |title=Grameen's Muhammad Yunus in court for defamation case |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12213255 |work=BBC News |date=18 January 2011 |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410105128/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12213255 |url-status=live }}

These investigations fueled suspicion that many attacks might be politically motivated,{{cite news |author=Jason Burke |date=21 February 2011 |title=Microfinance guru Muhammad Yunus faces removal from Grameen Bank |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/21/muhammad-yunus-microfinance-grameen-bank-bangladesh |location=London |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619141515/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/21/muhammad-yunus-microfinance-grameen-bank-bangladesh |url-status=live }} due to difficult relations between Sheikh Hasina and Yunus since early 2007, when Yunus created his own political party, an effort he dropped in May 2007. In 2013, he faced a state-backed smear campaign that accused him of being un-Islamic and promoting homosexuality, after he signed a joint statement criticising the prosecution of gay people in Uganda in 2012 with three other nobel laureates.{{Cite web |title=Muhammad Yunus: The Nobel winner tasked with leading Bangladesh |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz73jwy8nnwo |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=www.bbc.com |date=7 August 2024 |language=en-GB |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901170650/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz73jwy8nnwo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2013-09-30 |title=Nobel Laureate's Gay Rights Support Prompts National Backlash |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/muhammad-yunus-gay-rights-bangladesh_n_4018184 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901165148/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/muhammad-yunus-gay-rights-bangladesh_n_4018184 |url-status=live }}

On 27 January 2011, Yunus appeared in court in a food-adulteration case filed by the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Food Safety Court, accusing him of producing an "adulterated" yogurt{{cite news |author=Farid Ahmed |date=28 January 2011 |title=Bangladeshi Nobel laureate faces fresh legal trouble at home |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/27/bangladesh.nobel.yogurt/ |work=CNN |access-date=12 March 2011 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628202857/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/27/bangladesh.nobel.yogurt/ |url-status=dead }} whose fat content was below the legal minimum. This yogurt is produced by Grameen Danone, a social business joint venture between Grameen Bank and Danone that aims to provide opportunities for street vendors who sell the yogurt and to improve child nutrition with the nutrient-fortified yogurt. According to Yunus' lawyer, the allegations are "false and baseless".{{cite news |date=28 January 2011 |title=Contaminated yoghurt lands Yunus in dock |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/international/contaminated-yoghurt-lands-yunus-dock-107 |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |agency=Agence France-Presse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213072239/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/international/contaminated-yoghurt-lands-yunus-dock-107 |archive-date=13 February 2011 |access-date=12 March 2011}}

Yunus faced 174 lawsuits in Bangladesh, 172 of which were civil cases. Allegations included labour law violations, corruption, and money laundering, which Yunus alleged were politically motivated.{{cite news |date=8 September 2023 |title=Nobel laureate Yunus faces 174 cases in Bangladesh |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/211670/nobel-laureate-yunus-faces-174-cases-in-bangladesh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109235625/https://www.newagebd.net/article/211670/nobel-laureate-yunus-faces-174-cases-in-bangladesh |archive-date=9 November 2023 |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=New Age}}

Hasina launched a series of trials against Yunus.{{cite news |date=19 September 2013 |title=The never-ending trial of Muhammad Yunus |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/contributors/contributions/rashidul-bari/The-never-ending-trial-of-Muhammad-Yunus/articleshow/22757491.cms?intenttarget=no |access-date=8 July 2015 |work=The Times of India |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304120433/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/contributors/contributions/rashidul-bari/The-never-ending-trial-of-Muhammad-Yunus/articleshow/22757491.cms?intenttarget=no |url-status=live }} The former put the latter on trial in 2010 and ultimately removed him from Grameen Bank,{{cite news |url=http://dawn.com/news/1054597/yunus-slams-destruction-of-grameen |title=Yunus slams 'destruction' of Grameen |work=Dawn |date=7 November 2013 |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417013937/https://www.dawn.com/news/1054597/yunus-slams-destruction-of-grameen |url-status=live }} citing his age.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/21/muhammad-yunus-microfinance-grameen-bank-bangladesh|title=Microfinance guru Muhammad Yunus faces removal from Grameen Bank|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=19 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619141515/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/21/muhammad-yunus-microfinance-grameen-bank-bangladesh|url-status=live}} In 2013, he was tried a second time, because he had supposedly received earnings without the necessary government permission, including his Nobel Peace Prize earnings and royalties from his book sales.{{cite news |title=Muhammad Yunus Accused of Tax Evasion, Bangladesh To Take Legal Action Against Nobel Laureate |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/10/muhammad-yunus-tax-evasion_n_3900633.html |newspaper=HuffPost |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914115624/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/10/muhammad-yunus-tax-evasion_n_3900633.html |archive-date=14 September 2013 |access-date=8 July 2015 |url-status=dead }} The series of trials against Yunus{{cite web |url=http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/beyond-profit-a-talk-with-muhammad-yunus/ |title=Beyond Profit: A Talk With Muhammad Yunus |last=Bornstein |first=David |date=17 April 2013 |work=Opinionator |type=Opinion |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328161043/https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/beyond-profit-a-talk-with-muhammad-yunus/ |url-status=live }} puzzled figures worldwide, from the 8.3 million underprivileged women served by Grameen Bank to U.S. President Barack Obama.{{cite news |last=Sengupta |first=Somini |date=19 February 2007 |title=A Nobel Prizewinner's Hat Alters the Political Ring in Bangladesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/world/asia/19bangla.html |access-date=8 July 2015 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103808/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/world/asia/19bangla.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Farid Ahmed |title=Bangladesh asked to find a compromise to end bank crisis |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/22/bangladesh.bank.crisis/ |access-date=8 July 2015 |work=CNN |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103808/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/22/bangladesh.bank.crisis/ |url-status=live }}

Vikas Bajaj wrote on 7 November 2013:

The government of Bangladesh has played its trump card in its long-running campaign against Grameen Bank and its founder Muhammad Yunus. Last week, legislators passed a law that effectively nationalizes the bank, which pioneered the idea of making small loans to poor women, by wresting control of it from the 8.4 million rural women that own a majority of its shares.{{cite web |url=http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/13/a-hostile-bank-takeover/ |title=A Hostile Bank Takeover |author=Vikas Bajaj |date=13 November 2013 |work=Taking Note |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=6 August 2016 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127093624/https://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/13/a-hostile-bank-takeover/ |url-status=live }}

On 1 January 2024, a court in Bangladesh sentenced Yunus to a six-month prison term, along with three employees from Grameen Telecom for labor law violations. However, the court granted bail pending appeals.{{Cite web |date=1 January 2024 |title=Nobel winner Yunus convicted in Bangladesh labour law case |url=https://news.yahoo.com/nobel-winner-yunus-convicted-bangladesh-103721189.html |access-date=1 January 2024 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US |archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101131005/https://news.yahoo.com/nobel-winner-yunus-convicted-bangladesh-103721189.html |url-status=live }} Amnesty International declared Yunus's conviction a "blatant abuse" of the justice system.{{Cite web |date=1 January 2024 |title=Yunus conviction a blatant abuse of justice system: Amnesty |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/yunus-conviction-blatant-abuse-justice-system-amnesty-3508456 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=The Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102203026/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/yunus-conviction-blatant-abuse-justice-system-amnesty-3508456 |url-status=live }} The conviction was overturned on 7 August 2024 following an appeal.{{Cite web |date=7 August 2024 |title=Dr Yunus acquitted, sentence overturned in labour law case|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/353991/dr-yunus-acquitted-sentence-overturned-in-labour |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Yunus' penalty cancelled in labour law case |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/0ot7x70eji |work=Prothom Alo |date=7 August 2024 |language=en |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811184638/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/0ot7x70eji |url-status=live }} He has been acquitted in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) just four days after getting acquittal for the labour violations case.{{cite news |title=Dr Yunus now acquitted in graft case |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/court/dr-yunus-now-acquitted-graft-case-914496 |work=The Business Standard |date=11 August 2024 |language=en |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-date=13 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813093042/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/court/dr-yunus-now-acquitted-graft-case-914496 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Bappi |first1=Emrul Hasan |title=Prof Yunus acquitted in graft case |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/prof-yunus-acquitted-graft-case-3674741 |work=The Daily Star |date=11 August 2024 |language=en |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811184638/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/prof-yunus-acquitted-graft-case-3674741 |url-status=live }}

For many years, Yunus remained a follower of Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujib, Former President of Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=http://bangabandhuporisad.webs.com/|title=Home – FATHER OF BENGALEE NATION|publisher=bangabandhuporisad.webs.com|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709011442/http://bangabandhuporisad.webs.com/|url-status=live}} While teaching at Middle Tennessee State University,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtsu.edu/yunus/|title=Middle Tennessee State University | Middle Tennessee State University|publisher=mtsu.edu|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=5 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305072948/https://www.mtsu.edu/yunus/|url-status=dead}} Yunus founded the Bangladesh Citizens' Committee (BCC) as a response to West Pakistan's aggression against Bangladesh.{{cite Q|Q130343104|url-status=live}}{{rp|74}} After the outbreak of the war of liberation, the BCC selected Yunus to become editor of its Bangladesh News Letter.{{cite news|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/yunus-on-congressional-medal|title=Yunus on Congressional medal|work=bdnews24.com|date=18 April 2013|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421110407/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/yunus-on-congressional-medal|url-status=live}} Inspired by the birth of Bangladesh in 1971, Yunus returned home in 1972. The relationship continued after Mujib's death. Yunus maintained a professional relationship with Hasina. Yunus appointed Hasina—along with U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton—as co-chair of a microcredit summit held 2–4 February 1997. At this event, 50 heads of state and high-level officials from 137 nations gathered in Washington, DC, to discuss solutions to poverty. At this event, Hasina had nothing but praise for Yunus. In her statement she praised, "the outstanding work done by Professor Yunus and the Grameen Bank he founded. ... The success of the Grameen Bank has created optimism about the viability of banks engaged in extending micro-credit to the poor".{{cite magazine |url=http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/4295-hasina-vs-yunus.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305085146/http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/4295-hasina-vs-yunus.html |archive-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=dead|title=Hasina vs Yunus |magazine=Himal |access-date=8 July 2015}} The inaugural ceremony of Grameen Phone, Bangladesh's largest telephone service, took place at Hasina's office on 26 March 1997. Using Grameen Phone, Hasina made the first call to Thorbjorn Jagland, the then-Norwegian prime minister. When her conversation ended, she received another call, from Laily Begum, a Grameen Phone employee. However, this long relationship ended in 2007 after Yunus disclosed his intention to form a political party, Nagorik Shakti.{{cite news|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/yunus-names-his-political-party-nagorik-shakti|title=Yunus names his political party Nagorik Shakti|work=bdnews24.com|date=18 February 2007|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421192813/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/yunus-names-his-political-party-nagorik-shakti|url-status=live}}

The Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina campaigned against Grameen and Yunus. The New York Times reported, "Her actions appear to be retaliation for Mr. Yunus's announcement in 2007 that he would seek public office, even though he never went through with his plans".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/opinion/bangladesh-takes-aim-at-grameen-bank.html |title=Bangladesh Takes Aim at Grameen Bank |work=The New York Times |type=Opinion |date=6 August 2013 |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901045420/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/opinion/bangladesh-takes-aim-at-grameen-bank.html |url-status=live }} According to Times of India, one other factor contributed to her decision against Yunus: the Nobel Peace Prize.{{cite news |url=http://www.amadershomoybd.com/content/2013/09/20/middle0851.htm |script-title=bn:প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনার হিংসা আর ভয়ের কারণই ড. ইউনূসের সাথে দন্দ্বঃ টাইমস অব ইন্ডিয়া |trans-title=Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's jealousy and fear is the reason. Doubts with Yunus: The Times of India |work=Amader Shomoy |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923210909/http://www.amadershomoybd.com/content/2013/09/20/middle0851.htm |archive-date=23 September 2013 |access-date=8 July 2015}}

Hasina thought she would win the Nobel Peace Prize for signing the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts peace treaty. On 9 March, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam expressed the government's attitude when he said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize". He went on to challenge the wisdom of the Nobel committee.{{cite book|title=Grameen Social Business Model: A Manifesto for Proletariat Revolution|author=Bari, R.|date=2011|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=9781468565652|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvtDeyRd5UgC&pg=PA158|page=158|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=3 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803064712/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvtDeyRd5UgC&pg=PA158|url-status=live}}

File:Muhammad Yunus 2007.jpg

On 11 January 2007, Army General Moeen U Ahmed staged a military coup.{{cite news |title=1/11 changeover: How it happened and why |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/302518/1-11-changeover-how-it-happened-and-why |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=11 January 2023 |access-date=16 August 2024 |archive-date=27 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127174102/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/302518/1-11-changeover-how-it-happened-and-why |url-status=live }} Meanwhile, Yunus turned down his request to become the nation's fourth Chief Advisor after Khaleda Zia's term ended. Yunus, however, suggested the general pick Fakhruddin Ahmed{{cite news |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2007/01/12/dr-fakhruddin-caretaker-head-of-bangladesh-1168612741.html |title=Dr Fakhruddin caretaker head of Bangladesh |work=Oneindia |date=12 January 2007 |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203015626/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/01/12/dr-fakhruddin-caretaker-head-of-bangladesh-1168612741.html |url-status=live }} for the job. Fakhruddin took office on 11 January 2007 and made it clear on his first day that he intended not only to arrange a free and fair election but also to clean up corruption. While Khaleda and Hasina criticised Fakruddin and claimed that it was not his job to clean up corruption, Yunus expressed his satisfaction. In an interview with the AFP news agency, Yunus remarked "There is no ideology here." Hasina had a harsh reaction to Yunus's comments, calling him a "usurer who has not only failed to eradicate poverty but has also nurtured poverty.{{cite news |title=Usurers up in arms to usurp politics, Hasina tells cultural activists |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/usurers-up-in-arms-to-usurp-politics-hasina-tells-cultural-activists |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=17 February 2007 |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419151947/https://bdnews24.com/politics/usurers-up-in-arms-to-usurp-politics-hasina-tells-cultural-activists |url-status=live }}" This was Hasina's first public statement against Yunus. Later Yunus announced the name of this prospective political party, Nagorik Shakti (Citizens' Power), saying he had a mission to enter the political arena in his nation in hope of changing its identity from "bottomless basket" to "rising tiger". However, on 3 May, Yunus published a third open letter and put his political ambitions to rest.

File:Friedensnobelpreisträger Yunus trifft Bundeskanzler Faymann (3693302913).jpg in 2009]]

The Bangladesh government launched the first trial against Yunus in December 2010, alleging that in 1996 he had transferred approximately $100 million to a sister company of Grameen Bank. Yunus denied{{Cite web |url=http://www.flipthecoin.org/wp-content/2011/01/nrk-answer.pdf |title=Letter to Mr. Alex Counts |access-date=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203025658/http://www.flipthecoin.org/wp-content/2011/01/nrk-answer.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}} the allegations and he was found innocent by the Norwegian government.{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-165759 |title=A person is innocent until found guilty |work=The Daily Star |date=11 December 2010 |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-date=28 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128080144/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-165759 |url-status=live }}

Yunus became subject to legal proceedings over three criminal cases. A criminal defamation case was filed against Yunus for criticising politicians in 2007. A food inspector filed another case against Yunus,{{cite news |url=http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=c052e590b0d2cc3863f42d501d7d4856&nttl=2011092213922|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203061144/http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=c052e590b0d2cc3863f42d501d7d4856&nttl=2011092213922 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead|title=Yunus secures bail in Shakti Doi adulteration case|access-date=8 July 2015}} alleging that yogurt manufactured by Grameen-Danone was adulterated. The final blow came on 3 March 2011. Bangladesh Bank informed Grameen in a letter that Yunus had been removed from Grameen, citing old age. Backed by nine boards of directors, 22 thousand employees,{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/gb-employees-protest-change-in-gb-law |title=Employees protest change in GB law |work=The Daily Star |date=7 November 2013 |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922165239/http://www.thedailystar.net/news/gb-employees-protest-change-in-gb-law |url-status=live }} and 8.3 million Grameen borrowers,{{cite news |url=http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/archive_details.php?date=2011-05-05&nid=17710 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000623/http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/archive_details.php?date=2011-05-05&nid=17710 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |title=GB staff give govt 15 days to make Yunus bank's chair |work=New Age |access-date=8 July 2015}} Yunus defied the government order, returned to Grameen's headquarters in Dhaka, and lodged an appeal at Dhaka High Court against the decision. However, Justice Mohammad Momtazuddin Ahmed and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore delivered the verdict against Yunus, claiming that Yunus's posting as the MD of Grameen since 1999 was illegal as he had reached the age of 60 by then.{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-176987|title=Yunus removal upheld|work=The Daily Star|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128080132/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-176987|url-status=live}} Backed by international leaders{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/world/asia/bangladesh-clinton-comments/|title=Bangladesh chides Clinton for microlender comments|publisher=CNN|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805134813/http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/world/asia/bangladesh-clinton-comments/|url-status=live}} (e.g., Hillary and Bill Clinton), national leaders (e.g., Sir Fazle Hasan Abed) and 8.3 million Grameen borrowers, Yunus filed an appeal in Bangladesh Supreme Court against the High Court's verdict. The full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque heard the appeal on 15 March 2011 and upheld Yunus's removal by the government.{{cite news |date=5 April 2011 |title=Bangladesh Supreme Court rejects Dr. Yunus' appeal |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-supreme-court-rejects-dr-yunus-appeal/article1601856.ece |access-date= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231006061826/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Bangladesh-Supreme-Court-rejects-Dr.-Yunus-appeal/article14671732.ece |archive-date=6 October 2023}}

On 2 August 2012, Sheikh Hasina approved a draft of "Grameen Bank Ordinance 2012"{{cite news |title=US worried over Grameen Bank future |url=http://bdnews24.com/business/2012/08/05/us-worried-over-grameen-bank-future1 |access-date=8 July 2015 |work=bdnews24.com |date=5 August 2012 |archive-date=10 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710053311/http://bdnews24.com/business/2012/08/05/us-worried-over-grameen-bank-future1 |url-status=live }} to increase government control over the bank. That power resided with the bank's directors—nine poor women who were elected by 8.3 million Grameen borrowers. Hasina also ordered a fresh investigation into Yunus's activities and financial transactions{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/microfinance-muhammad-yunus-accused-tax-evasion|title=Microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus accused of tax evasion|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103808/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/microfinance-muhammad-yunus-accused-tax-evasion|url-status=live}} in his later years as managing director of Grameen, but people saw the move as an attempt to destroy his image. The prime minister also alleged that Yunus had received his earnings without the necessary permission from the government, including his Nobel Peace Prize earnings and book royalties.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24021842|title=Bangladesh: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faces tax probe|work=BBC News|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103808/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24021842|url-status=live}}

On 4 October 2013, Bangladesh's cabinet approved the draft of a new law that would give the country's central bank greater control over Grameen Bank,{{cite news|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303492504579115392535372818|title=Grameen Bank Faces Greater Controls|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204100412/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303492504579115392535372818|url-status=live}} raising the stakes in the long-running dispute. The Grameen Bank Act 2013 was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina{{cite news |last=Rahman |first=Md. Fazlur |date=8 November 2013 |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/vote-for-parties-that-will-return-old-gb |title=Vote for parties that will return old GB |work=The Daily Star |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922175541/http://www.thedailystar.net/news/vote-for-parties-that-will-return-old-gb |url-status=live }} and was passed by parliament on 7 November 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/passing-of-grameen-bank-act-2013 |title=Passing of Grameen Bank Act, 2013 |work=The Daily Star |date=8 November 2013}} It replaced the Grameen Bank Ordinance, the law that underpinned the creation of Grameen Bank as a specialised microcredit institution in 1983.{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/js-passes-grameen-bank-law |title=JS passes Grameen Bank law |work=The Daily Star |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821143719/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/js-passes-grameen-bank-law |url-status=live }} The New York Times reported in August 2013:

Since then, the government has started an investigation into the bank and is now planning to take over Grameen—a majority of whose shares are owned by its borrowers—and break it up into 19 regional lenders.

Following his appointment as chief adviser, Yunus faced criticism after several Grameen-affiliated institutions received government approvals and benefits. These included approval for Grameen University, tax waivers and a reduction in government shareholding in Grameen Bank, and licenses for manpower export and a digital wallet. The dismissal of labor law violation and money laundering cases against him during this period also raised concerns from some quarters regarding transparency and conflicts of interest.{{cite news |title=Yunus under criticism over privileges |url=https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/264412/yunus-under-criticism-over-privileges |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=Newagebd}}{{cite news |title='সুযোগ সুবিধা নিয়ে সমালোচনার মুখে ইউনূস' |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cnv1yev98qeo?fbclid=IwY2xjawKKuv1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjV8rfokCbIrVJjNZOtYZEbMdOD644s_thtLPNDczcmZYww8qECbwQuygFbE_aem_H-RneMmNwXtnvqxnvy-pzw |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=bbcnews}}

File:Muhammad Yunus in Oslo Norway at the Nobel Awards by Don Ramey Logan (cropped).jpg at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway]]

Yunus identifies as a Muslim and has expressed the importance that salah and Ishq-e-Muhammadi holds to him in his personal life. His father, Haji Muhammad Dula Mia Saudagar, completed Hajj three times and was a disciple of two prominent Sufis of Chittagong. Yunus continues to actively display a normative orthodox Sunnite theological creed, whilst rejecting superstition. He encourages the public to engage in Dua directly to Allah,{{cite news|url=https://www.kalbela.com/national/77963|title=আমরা পদে পদে বাধাপ্রাপ্ত হচ্ছি : ড. ইউনূস|website=Kalbela|language=bn|date=2 April 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.jugantor.com/national/others/791671/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%A1.-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%B8|website=Jugantor|language=bn|date=2 April 2024|trans-title=Supplicate to Allah that we may be saved from calamities: Dr. Yunus|title=আল্লাহর কাছে ফরিয়াদ করেন, বালা-মুসিবত থেকে আমরা বাঁচি: ড. ইউনূস}} whom Yunus publicly recognises as the supreme source of assistance and support,{{cite news|url=https://www.rtvonline.com/bangladesh/285673|website=RTV Online|title=শপথ নেওয়ার পর জাতির উদ্দেশে যা বললেন ড. ইউনূস|language=bn|date=8 August 2024|trans-title=What Dr. Yunus said to the nation after taking the oath}} and as the master of Divine Decree.{{cite news|url=https://dailyinqilab.com/national/article/677252|title=প্রকৃত স্বাধীনতা আমরা উপভোগ করবো ইন শা আল্লাহ|website=Daily Inqilab|date=11 August 2024|trans-title=We will enjoy a genuine independence with the permission of Allah|author=Bahauddin, A. M. Mohammad}} Yunus has also referred to the Qur'an as the "guide for mankind" and acknowledged the concept of ummah in his public speeches.{{cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/377423/yunus-greets-muslims-on-holy-shab-e-qadr|work=Dhaka Tribune|date=27 March 2025|title=Yunus greets Muslims on Shab-e-Qadr}}

In 1967, while Yunus attended Vanderbilt University, he met Vera Forostenko, a student of Russian literature at Vanderbilt University and daughter of Russian immigrants to Trenton, New Jersey, United States. They were married in 1970. Yunus's marriage with Vera ended within months of the birth of their baby girl, Monica Yunus, in 1979 in Chittagong,{{Cite web |title=Monica Yunus : Singing a Universal Languagen |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2005/12/02/music.htm |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=The Daily Star |date=5 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201120249/https://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2005/12/02/music.htm |archive-date=1 December 2008 |url-status=live }} as Vera returned to New Jersey claiming that Bangladesh was not a good place to raise a baby. Monica Yunus became an operatic soprano based in New York City.{{cite web |url=http://www.monicayunus.com/newsite/biography.asp|title=Monica Yunus, Soprano |access-date=2 September 2007 |format=asp |work=Biography|publisher=VoxPagel.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070127180916/http://www.monicayunus.com/newsite/biography.asp| archive-date = 27 January 2007}} Yunus later married Afrozi Yunus, who was then a researcher in physics at Manchester University. She was later appointed as a professor of physics at Jahangirnagar University. Their daughter Deena Afroz Yunus was born in 1986.

Yunus's brother Muhammad Ibrahim is a former professor of physics at the University of Dhaka and the founder of The Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES), which brings science education to adolescent girls in villages.{{Cite web|url=http://cmesbd.org/index.php/about-us/history/|title=History Center for Mass Education in Science|language=en-US|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220204309/http://cmesbd.org/index.php/about-us/history/|url-status=live}} His other brother Muhammad Jahangir (d. 2019) was a television presenter and a social activist in Bangladesh.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/muhammad-jahangir-brother-of-professor-yunus-bangladesh-media-person-journalist-passes-away-1769284|title=Muhammad Jahangir passes away|date=10 July 2019|work=The Daily Star|language=en|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-date=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103808/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/muhammad-jahangir-brother-of-professor-yunus-bangladesh-media-person-journalist-passes-away-1769284|url-status=live}}

{{main|Yunus Centre}}

The Yunus Centre, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a think tank focused on social business, poverty alleviation, and sustainability. Founded in 2008 and chaired by Dr Yunus, it promotes his philosophy of social business and serves as a resource center for related initiatives. The centre's activities include poverty eradication campaigns, research and publications, support for social business start-ups, organizing the Global Social Business Summit, and developing academic programs on social business with international universities.{{Cite web |title=Who we are |url=https://www.muhammadyunus.org/pages/1806/who-we-are |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=www.muhammadyunus.org |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810142055/https://www.muhammadyunus.org/pages/1806/who-we-are |url-status=live }}

File:Verleihung Carl-Theodor-Preis 2016 an Muhammad Yunus.jpg

• {{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |date=1974 |title=Three Farmers of Jobra |publisher=Department of Economics, Chittagong University}}{{cite web |title=Three farmers of Jobra, Chittagong, March 1974 |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/Three-farmers-of-Jobra-Chittagong-March-1974/oclc/1432217346 |website=search.worldcat.org |language=en |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809011856/https://search.worldcat.org/title/Three-farmers-of-Jobra-Chittagong-March-1974/oclc/1432217346 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite encyclopedia |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |title=Encyclopedia of Corporate Social Responsibility |author-mask=2 |date=1976 |chapter=Muhammad Yunus |pages=1728–1730 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-642-28036-8_715 |publisher=Chittagong University|doi=10.1007/978-3-642-28036-8_715 |isbn=978-3-642-28035-1 }}{{cite book |last1=Rahim |first1=Mia Mahmudur |title=Encyclopedia of Corporate Social Responsibility |chapter=Muhammad Yunus |publisher=Springer |pages=1728–1730 |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-28036-8_715 |date=2013|isbn=978-3-642-28035-1 }}
• {{cite book |last1=Yunus |first1=Muhammad |author-mask=2 |last2=Isalama |first2=Saiyada Manajurula |last3=Rahman |first3=Arifa |date=1991 |title=Jorimon and Others: Faces of Poverty |publisher=Grameen Bank}}{{cite web |last1=Yunus |first1=Muhammad |title=Jorimon and Others: Faces of Poverty |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8mzaAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Grameen Bank |language=en |date=1991 |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815223717/https://books.google.com/books?id=8mzaAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}
• {{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |author-mask=2 |date=1994 |title=Grameen Bank, as I See it |publisher=Grameen Bank}}{{cite web |title=Grameen Bank, as I see it |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/grameen-bank-as-i-see-it/oclc/33044437 |website=search.worldcat.org |language=en |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815223720/https://search.worldcat.org/title/grameen-bank-as-i-see-it/oclc/33044437 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |author-mask=2 |date=1999 |title=Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty |title-link=Banker to the Poor |publisher=PublicAffairs |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58648-198-8}}
• {{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |author-mask=2 |date=2007 |title=Creating a World without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism |publisher=PublicAffairs |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58648-493-4}}
• {{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |author-mask=2 |date=2010 |title=Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism that Serves Humanity's Most Pressing Needs |publisher=Public Affairs |location=New York |isbn= 978-1-58648-824-6}}
• Yunus, Muhammad, Moingeon, Bertrand and Laurence Lehmann-Ortega (2010), "Building Social Business Models: Lessons from the Grameen Experience", April–June, vol 43, number 2–3, Long Range Planning, pp. 308–325{{cite journal |last1=Yunus |first1=Muhammad |last2=Moingeon |first2=Bertrand |last3=Lehmann-Ortega |first3=Laurence |title=Building Social Business Models: Lessons from the Grameen Experience |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024630109001290 |journal=Long Range Planning |pages=308–325 |doi=10.1016/j.lrp.2009.12.005 |date=1 April 2010 |volume=43 |issue=2–3 |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421143747/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024630109001290 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}
• {{cite book |last=Yunus |first=Muhammad |author-mask=2 |date=2017 |title=A World of Three Zeroes: the new economics of zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions |publisher=Scribe Publications}}{{cite book |title=A World of Three Zeroes |url=https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/a-world-of-three-zeroes-9781925322477 |language=en-AU |date=30 October 2017 |isbn=978-1-925322-47-7 |last1=Yunus |first1=Muhammad |last2=Weber |first2=Karl |publisher=Scribe |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815223723/https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/a-world-of-three-zeroes-9781925322477 |url-status=live }}

• 2000 – Sixteen Decisions{{cite web|url=https://www.berkeleymedia.com/product/sixteen_decisions/|title=Sixteen Decisions|access-date=9 August 2024|archive-date=15 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815223714/https://www.berkeleymedia.com/product/sixteen_decisions/|url-status=live}}
• 2010 – To Catch a Dollar{{cite web|url=https://www.berkeleymedia.com/product/to_catch_a_dollar_muhammad_yunus_banks_on_america/|title=To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America|access-date=9 August 2024|archive-date=9 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809012714/https://www.berkeleymedia.com/product/to_catch_a_dollar_muhammad_yunus_banks_on_america/|url-status=live}}
• 2011 – Bonsai People – The Vision of Muhammad Yunus directed by Holly Mosher{{cite web |title=Bonsai People – Muhammad Yunus |url=https://filmsfortheplanet.com/bonsai-people-the-vision-of-muhammad-yunus/ |website=Films for the Planet |date=19 March 2016 |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809012714/https://filmsfortheplanet.com/bonsai-people-the-vision-of-muhammad-yunus/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|List of awards and honours received by Muhammad Yunus}}

Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank, for their efforts to create economic and social development:

{{blockquote|author=Norwegian Nobel Committee{{cite web |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2006/press.html |title=The Nobel Peace Prize for 2006 |date=13 October 2006 |website=Nobel Foundation |access-date=13 October 2006 |archive-date=19 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019130920/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2006/press.html |url-status=live }}|Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries. Loans to poor people without any financial security had appeared to be an impossible idea. From modest beginnings three decades ago, Yunus has, first and foremost through Grameen Bank, developed micro-credit into an ever more important instrument in the struggle against poverty.}}

File:Barack Obama speaks to Stephen Hawking.jpg speaks to Stephen Hawking and on the left Yunus]]

Yunus was the first Bangladeshi to ever get a Nobel Prize. He established Grameen Bank in 1983, which plays a significant role in poverty alleviation in various countries of the world including Bangladesh. In 2006, he and the Grameen Bank he founded jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize.{{Cite web |title=ড. মুহাম্মদ ইউনূস এর জীবনী: সাফল্যের অনন্য কাহিনী |url=https://www.kalerkothon.com/2024/08/biography-of-muhammad-yunus.html |access-date=19 August 2024 |website=Kaler Kothon |language=bn}} After receiving the news of the important award, Yunus announced that he would use part of his share of the $1.4 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|1.4|2006|r=2}} million in {{Inflation-year|US}}) award money to create a company to make low-cost, high-nutrition food for the poor; while the rest would go towards establishing the Yunus Science and Technology University in his home district as well as setting up an eye hospital for the poor in Bangladesh.{{cite news | title = Yunus wins peace Nobel for anti-poverty efforts | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15246216 | agency = Associated Press | date = 13 October 2006 | access-date = 16 August 2007 | archive-date = 29 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201029183819/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15246216 | url-status = live }}

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was a vocal advocate for the awarding of the Nobel Prize to Yunus. He expressed this in Rolling Stone magazine{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Boulden |date=29 March 2001 |title=The birth of micro credit |url=http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/programs/yourbusiness/stories2001/lending/ |work=CNN |access-date=19 August 2007 |archive-date=7 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707151541/http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/programs/yourbusiness/stories2001/lending/ |url-status=dead }} as well as in his autobiography My Life.{{cite book |last=Clinton |first=Bill |author-link=Bill Clinton |title=My Life: The Presidential Years |title-link=My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography) |year=2004 |publisher=Vintage Books |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/mylifecl00clin/page/329 329] |isbn=978-0-375-41457-2 |quote=Muhammad Yunus should have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics years ago. }} In a speech given at University of California, Berkeley in 2002, President Clinton described Yunus as "a man who long ago should have won the Nobel Prize [in Economics and] I'll keep saying that until they finally give it to him."{{cite web |url=http://www.berkeley.edu/news/features/2002/clinton/clinton-transcript.html |title=Transcript of the Jan. 29, 2002 talk by former President Bill Clinton at the University of California, Berkeley |access-date=22 August 2007 |last=Ainsworth |first=Diane |date=29 January 2002 |work=Clinton: education, economic development key to building a peaceful, global village |publisher=UC Regents |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021022302/https://www.berkeley.edu/news/features/2002/clinton/clinton-transcript.html |url-status=live }} Conversely, The Economist stated explicitly that while Yunus was doing excellent work to fight poverty, it was not appropriate to award him the Peace Prize, stating: "... the Nobel committee could have made a braver, more difficult, choice by declaring that there would be no recipient at all."{{cite magazine |date=13 October 2006 |title=Losing its Lustre |url=http://www.economist.com/node/8045069 |magazine=The Economist |access-date=28 June 2008 |archive-date=29 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229073010/http://www.economist.com/node/8045069 |url-status=live }}

File:Muhammad yunus at weforum.jpg in Davos, Switzerland]]

He is one of only seven persons to have won the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom,{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-names-medal-freedom-recipients|title=President Obama Names Medal of Freedom Recipients|date=30 July 2009|website=whitehouse.gov|access-date=16 August 2024|archive-date=28 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128044939/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-names-medal-freedom-recipients|url-status=live}} and the Congressional Gold Medal.{{cite web |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ253/pdf/PLAW-111publ253.pdf |title=Public Law 111–253—OCT. 5, 2010 |website=US Government Publishing Office |access-date=2 May 2012 |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021022131/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ253/pdf/PLAW-111publ253.pdf |url-status=live }} Other notable awards include the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1984, the World Food Prize,{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/laureates/19871999_laureates/1994_yunus/ |title=Dr. Muhammad Yunus |website=World Food Prize |access-date=29 August 2007 |archive-date=2 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702071652/http://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/laureates/19871999_laureates/1994_yunus/ |url-status=live }} the International Simon Bolivar Prize (1996),{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/bpi/eng/unescopress/96-183e.htm |title=MUHAMMAD YUNUS RECEIVES 1996 INTERNATIONAL SIMON BOLIVAR PRIZE AT UNESCO |website=UNESCO |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=17 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217173922/http://www.unesco.org/bpi/eng/unescopress/96-183e.htm |url-status=live }} the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord{{cite web |url=http://www.fpa.es/en/princess-of-asturias-awards/laureates/1998-nicolas-castellanos-vicente-ferrer-joaquin-sanz-gadea-and-muhammad-yunus.html?especifica=0&idCategoria=0&anio=1998&especifica=0 |title=Nicolás Castellanos, Vicente Ferrer, Joaquín Sanz Gadea and Muhammad Yunus, 1998 Prince of Asturias Award for Concord |website=Fundación Princesa de Asturias |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301071901/https://www.fpa.es/en/princess-of-asturias-awards/laureates/1998-nicolas-castellanos-vicente-ferrer-joaquin-sanz-gadea-and-muhammad-yunus.html?especifica=0&idCategoria=0&anio=1998&especifica=0 |url-status=live }} and the Sydney Peace Prize in 1998,{{cite web |url=http://sydneypeacefoundation.org.au/peace-prize-recipients/1998-professor-muhammed-yunus/ |title=1998 Professor Muhammed Yunus |publisher=Sydney Peace Foundation |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311081329/http://sydneypeacefoundation.org.au/peace-prize-recipients/1998-professor-muhammed-yunus/ |url-status=live }} and the Seoul Peace Prize in 2006. Additionally, Yunus has been awarded 71 honorary doctorate degrees from universities across 27 countries, and 113 international awards from 26 countries including state honours from 10 countries.{{cite web |url=http://muhammadyunus.org/index.php/professor-yunus/awards?limitstart=0 |title=Awards |website=Yunus Centre |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010210802/http://muhammadyunus.org/index.php/professor-yunus/awards?limitstart=0 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |date=14 October 2006 |title=Profile: Dr. Muhammad Yunus |url=http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/2006/10/14/profile-dr-muhammad-yunus/ |newspaper=Bangladesh News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017160138/http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/2006/10/14/profile-dr-muhammad-yunus/ |archive-date=17 October 2006}}{{cite web |url=http://www.muhammadyunus.org/index.php/professor-yunus/cv |title=CV of Professor Muhammad Yunus |website=Yunus Centre |access-date=1 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021055019/http://www.muhammadyunus.org/index.php/professor-yunus/cv |archive-date=21 October 2015 |url-status=dead }} Bangladesh government brought out a commemorative stamp to honour his Nobel Award.{{Cite web|url=https://sydneypeacefoundation.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/muhammad-yunus-commemorative-stamps/|title=Muhammad Yunus commemorative stamps|date=3 September 2007|access-date=7 August 2024|archive-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115231753/https://sydneypeacefoundation.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/muhammad-yunus-commemorative-stamps/|url-status=live}}

Yunus was named by Fortune Magazine in March 2012 as one of 12 greatest entrepreneurs of the current era.{{cite news |last=Byrne |first=John A. |date=9 April 2012 |title=The 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time |url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/news/companies/1203/gallery.greatest-entrepreneurs.fortune/13.html |work=Fortune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324163515/http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/news/companies/1203/gallery.greatest-entrepreneurs.fortune/13.html |archive-date=24 March 2012}} In its citation, Fortune Magazine said "Yunus' idea inspired countless numbers of young people to devote themselves to social causes all over the world."{{cite news |title=Yunus among 12 greatest entrepreneurs |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-227651 |work=The Daily Star |date=25 March 2012 |language=en |access-date=16 August 2024 |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816081514/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-227651 |url-status=live }}

In January 2008, Houston, Texas declared 14 January as "Muhammad Yunus Day".{{cite news |title=Houston mayor declares 14 January 'Yunus Day' |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=19502 |work=The Daily Star |date=16 January 2008 |access-date=16 January 2008 |archive-date=11 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911034154/http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=19502 |url-status=live }}

Yunus was named among the most desired thinkers the world should listen to by the FP 100 (world's most influential elite) in the December 2009 issue of Foreign Policy magazine.{{cite magazine |last=Sheldon |first=Blaine |date=25 November 2009 |title=The Wisdom of the Smart Crowd |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2009/11/25/the-wisdom-of-the-smart-crowd-4/ |url-access=registration |magazine=Foreign Policy |access-date=30 November 2009 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103626/https://foreignpolicy.com/2009/11/25/the-wisdom-of-the-smart-crowd-4/ |url-status=live }}

File:Muhammad Yunus com presidente Lula.jpg Lula Da Silva (right) in 2008 after winning Nobel Peace Prize]]

In 2010, the British magazine New Statesman listed Yunus at 40th in the list of "The World's 50 Most Influential Figures 2010".{{cite magazine|title=50 People Who Matter 2010|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/global-issues/2010/09/loan-star-yunus-bangladesh|magazine=New Statesman|access-date=2 November 2010|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430195214/https://www.newstatesman.com/global-issues/2010/09/loan-star-yunus-bangladesh|url-status=live}}

File:25. Internationales Management-Gespräch-Muhammad Yunus-HSGN 028-01022.jpg

Yunus received 71 honorary doctorate degrees from universities from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, China, Greece, India, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.{{cite web |url=http://muhammadyunus.org/index.php/professor-yunus/honourary-degrees |title=Honourary Degrees |website=Yunus Centre |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222171529/http://www.muhammadyunus.org/index.php/professor-yunus/honourary-degrees |archive-date=22 February 2013 |url-status=dead }} United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon invited Yunus to serve as an MDG Advocate. Yunus sits on the Board of United Nations Foundation, Schwab Foundation, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Grameen Credit Agricole Microcredit Foundation. He has been a member of Fondation Chirac's honour committee,{{cite web |url=http://www.fondationchirac.eu/en/foundation/honour-committee/ |title=Honor Committee |work=Fondation Chirac |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041708/http://www.fondationchirac.eu/en/foundation/honour-committee |url-status=live }} ever since the foundation was launched in 2008 by former French president Jacques Chirac in order to promote world peace.{{cite news |title=Chirac returns to public eye with new foundation |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20080609-chirac-returns-public-eye-with-new-foundation-chirac-foundation |work=France 24 |date=9 June 2008 |language=en |access-date=16 August 2024 |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816081308/https://www.france24.com/en/20080609-chirac-returns-public-eye-with-new-foundation-chirac-foundation |url-status=live }}

Yunus has become a well-known international figure. He has delivered numerous lectures around the world,{{cite web |url=http://www.nelsonmandela.org/publications/entry/seventh-nelson-mandela-annual-lecture-address1 |title=Seventh Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture address – Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory |website=Nelsonmandela.org |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301094317/https://www.nelsonmandela.org/publications/entry/seventh-nelson-mandela-annual-lecture-address1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.grameensocialbusiness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=197:professor-muhammad-yunus-commencement-speech&catid=46:transcripts-of-speeches&Itemid=92 |title=Professor Muhammad Yunus' Commencement Speech |publisher=Grameensocialbusiness.org |date=17 May 2009 |access-date=13 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424175357/http://www.grameensocialbusiness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=197:professor-muhammad-yunus-commencement-speech&catid=46:transcripts-of-speeches&Itemid=92 |archive-date=24 April 2013 }}{{Cite journal |date=June 13, 2008 |title=Yunus Speaks About Capitalism, Poverty, and the Future of 'Social Business' |url=http://tech.mit.edu/V128/N28/commencement/yunus.html |url-status=dead |journal=The Tech |volume=128 |issue=28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216024701/http://tech.mit.edu/V128/N28/commencement/yunus.html |archive-date=16 February 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://muhammadyunus.org/index.php/news-media/speeches/210-adam-smith-lecture-at-glasgow-university |title=Adam Smith Lecture at Glasgow University |website=Yunus Centre |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=9 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009143647/http://muhammadyunus.org/index.php/news-media/speeches/210-adam-smith-lecture-at-glasgow-university |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events/The-University-Year/romanes-lecture |title=Romanes Lecture |website=University of Oxford |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508114133/https://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events/The-University-Year/romanes-lecture |url-status=live }} and has appeared on popular television shows, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006, The Colbert Report in 2008, Real Time with Bill Maher in 2009 and The Simpsons in 2010.{{cite web |title=12th-Global-Conference-Speaker-Biographies.pdf |url=https://ifa.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/12th-Global-Conference-Speaker-Biographies.pdf |publisher=ifa.ngo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526172349/https://ifa.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/12th-Global-Conference-Speaker-Biographies.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2022 }} On Google+, Yunus was one of the most followed people worldwide, with over two million followers until Google closed its operations in 2019.{{cite web |url=http://socialstatistics.com/profile/114848435876861502546 |title=Muhammad Yunus Google+ Statistics |website=Socialstatistics.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806054035/http://socialstatistics.com/profile/114848435876861502546 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |access-date=13 August 2012}}

He has played a key advisory role in the Paris 2024 Olympics, promoting social business principles and encouraging sustainable, socially responsible projects. His influence led to initiatives like prioritizing social businesses in public tenders and integrating social housing into the athletes' village redevelopment.{{Cite news |date=30 May 2024 |title=Nobel winner Yunus brings 'social business' mantra to Olympics |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/more-sports/news/nobel-winner-yunus-brings-social-business-mantra-olympics-3622721 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240808032906/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/more-sports/news/nobel-winner-yunus-brings-social-business-mantra-olympics-3622721 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=The Daily Star|language=en}}

• Yunus Centre
• Yunus Social Business
• List of chief advisers of Bangladesh
• List of Nobel Peace Prize laureates

Footnotes

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Citations

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• {{cite book |last=Bornstein |first=David |date=1996 |title=The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank and the Idea that is Helping the Poor to Change Their Lives |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-684-81191-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/priceofdreamstor00born_0 }}
• {{cite news |last=Kallol |first=Asif Showkat |date=1 November 2013 |title=Female directors vow to stop GB law |url=http://archive.dhakatribune.com/banks/2013/nov/01/women-directors-vow-stop-gb-law |newspaper=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220172725/http://archive.dhakatribune.com/banks/2013/nov/01/women-directors-vow-stop-gb-law |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news |last1=Pakiam |first1=Ranjeetha |last2=Mehrotra |first2=Kartikay |date=6 November 2013 |title=Yunus Sees New Law Spelling Beginning of the End for Grameen |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-06/yunus-sees-new-law-spelling-beginning-of-the-end-for-grameen.html |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131115063708/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-06/yunus-sees-new-law-spelling-beginning-of-the-end-for-grameen.html |archive-date=15 November 2013 |access-date=8 July 2015}}
• {{cite news |title=Yunus not enjoying respect he deserves |url=http://print.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2013/11/14/4008 |newspaper=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |date=14 November 2013 |access-date=8 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220143357/http://print.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2013/11/14/4008 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}

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