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Muhammad Yunus

Special Message Regarding Professor Muhammad Yunus (father of microfinance)

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Special Message Regarding Professor Muhammad Yunus (father of microfinance)

Dear Friend,

Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus is both the founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and the father of microfinance worldwide. He also helped Grameen Foundation get started in 1997. Today, you help Grameen Foundation continue the legacy of Professor Yunus' efforts by working with poor families to increase their income, protect their health, reduce hunger, and build financial security.

Because of this legacy, I am alerting you to a citizens' movement called “Protect Yunus”, launched recently to raise attention to an evolving and concerning situation facing Professor Yunus in Bangladesh. Grameen Foundation and alumni team members are working hard to support this citizens' movement, in particular our founder and former CEO, Alex Counts. See below for a message from the Protect Yunus team.

Please join the Protect Yunus movement, and feel free to email the team at Protect Yunus if you have any questions or concerns (protectyunus.wordpress.com/contact/).

Sincerely,

Steve Hollingworth
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A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM PROTECT YUNUS:

For nearly 40 years, Professor Muhammad Yunus has worked tirelessly to help the world's poor and vulnerable escape poverty. Now, he is under attack by those who wish to discredit his character and his life’s work. The attacks have escalated in recent months, causing real concern for the welfare and safety of Professor Yunus, and have caused us to launch the “Protect Yunus” movement.

Since 2010 Professor Yunus has been the victim of a targeted campaign that forced him to resign from Grameen Bank. He has also been repeatedly accused and cleared of a wide range of allegations that have been discredited or withdrawn due to a lack of evidence or sound rationale.

Starting with just $27 from his own pocket, Professor Yunus created Grameen Bank: a bank for the poor that today gives 7.5 million women and their families in Bangladesh the financial start they need to build new, more prosperous lives. His unwavering belief in the ability of poor people to improve their lives - if given the opportunity - inspired a global movement for change. Change that helps women start and run their own businesses. Change that ensures children can go to school. Change that enables women to save for their families' future. Change that puts nutritious meals on families' tables.

The Protect Yunus movement needs your help today:
... Learn about this evolving situation on our blog.
... Build awareness by following us on Facebook and Twitter, and sharing information with your networks. Help us go viral so we can gain the attention of the global media.
... Get involved by following the easy recommendations in this blogpost to help us raise attention at the national level in the United States.

Professor Yunus has dedicated his life to fighting for the poor and voiceless. It is time for us to stand with him.

Please join the Protect Yunus movement and show our support for this incredible humanitarian.

Sincerely,

The Protect Yunus Team