Expanding Dr. Yunus' Sphere of Influence

The following report comes from Brother Shafi Chowdhury, a former roommate and student friend of Dr. Yunus who attended our St. James’s event as a ‘Yunus Ambassador’. His daughter Sarah took the photo at St. James’s where Shafi holds the book in the centre.

This morning I reached RSA House at John Adam Street London WC1N at about 9.30. By that time the Conference Hall was almost full. So I chose to sit right at the back at its left end seat.

Starting at 10 am Right Honourable Jack Straw MP, the Secretary of State for Justice, spoke for about 40 minutes.

Then the Chair Professor Malcolm Grant took questions from three persons at a time for Mr Straw to answer.

I kept raising my hands and was really pleased when my chance came as the last of the total 12 questioners.

I started greeting Mr Straw, the Chair and the assembled Brothers and Sisters with SALAAM (PEACE)!

After introducing myself as a local Prison Visiting IMAM (MUSLIM CHAPLAIN) in Sutton Surrey, I asked Mr Straw whether he would consider establishing Rehabilitation units inside the Prisons and outside which will help to reduce Re-offending.

I then said that in my 17 years’ experience working with male and female prisoners I have learned that the lack of proper Education and Deprivation due to Poverty made many prisoners get involved in criminal activities.

So I asked Mr Straw if I could give him my friend Nobel Laureate Professor Yunus’ Book “Creating A World Without Poverty”?

When he said yes I walked up to the platform andhanded him Yunus’ book and I also gave one book to the Chair Professor Malcolm Grant.

I was then elated to hear a few members of the audience applauding me with hand claps.

Afterwards a (Banker) Fellow of the RSA and his wife said tome “well done, carry on with your good works”. Another person who came from Doncaster said something similar.

At the cloak room I met the famous former Chief Inspector of HM Prisons Sir David Ramsbottom. He said he did hear me mentioning Rehabilitations which Mr Straw thought to be a good idea. But Sir David Ramsbottom wondered how Mr Straw was going to implement it when he is doing his best to cut the cost of running prisons!

Yes, there were many high placed persons amongst the200+ attending RSA conference today. 

I am pleased that Allah helped me to fulfil your wish to finda way to give Yunus’ ” Creating A World Without Poverty ” toMr Straw and I was able to mention the book in that august RSA gathering.