During his four-day official visit, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus arrived at Heathrow Airport in London at 7 AM local time on Tuesday, June 10. He was welcomed by Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the UK, Abida Islam. From the airport, Professor Yunus went directly to the Dorchester Hotel in London.
A group of expatriate Bangladeshis gathered in front of the Dorchester Hotel to welcome him. Many among them were affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, Khelafat Majlis, and similar parties. Some individuals were also seen under the banner of the National Citizen Party (NCP). Notable figures such as Jamaat leader Barrister Abu Bakar Molla, Barrister Saifuddin Khaled, and Khelafat Majlis leader Maulana Saleh Ahmad attended the gathering. Later in the afternoon, this group planned to hold another rally in East London’s Altab Ali Park under the banner of “Reform Bangladesh” in support of Professor Yunus.
On the other hand, another group of expatriate Bangladeshis, consisting of leaders and supporters of the Awami League in the UK, staged a protest in front of the Dorchester Hotel against the Chief Advisor. They announced that they would continue their demonstrations throughout his stay in London.
Several former ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) participated in the protest. Among them were former MP Ranjit Sarkar from Sunamganj-1 and former MP Bidhyan Kumar Saha from Habiganj-3, who is also the joint general secretary of Sylhet Metropolitan Awami League. This was the first time Saha had been seen publicly protesting. Additionally, former State Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and several other former ministers, MPs, and Awami League leaders based in the UK joined the demonstration.
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus Welcomed and Protested During UK Visit
