Muhammad Yunus Takes the Helm of Bangladesh

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize winner, was sworn in as the head of the interim government of Bangladesh on Thursday night, August 9, local time, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina from the prime ministership and her flight to India after several weeks of widespread protests. According to the Associated Press, Mr. Yunus's important tasks include restoring calm and peace in Bangladesh and preparing for new elections after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina. The news agency noted that most of the other 16 members of the interim government of Bangladesh are from civil society and include two leaders of the student protests, adding that the members of the interim government were selected following discussions among student leaders, civil society representatives, and the military of the country. Muhammad Yunus, 84, a staunch critic of Sheikh Hasina, returned to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on Thursday after receiving medical treatment in Paris, following the support of protesters for him to play a role in the interim government tasked with holding elections to determine a new government. Upon his return to Bangladesh at Dhaka airport, he told reporters, 'The country has the potential to become a very beautiful country.' The protests began weeks ago against a quota system for government jobs, which critics say favored members and supporters of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party. She resigned on Monday, August 7, after the protests turned into a nationwide movement against her government and fled to India. During the anti-government protests, more than 300 people, including students and police officers, were killed.