Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed, the Founder and Chairperson on BRAC, the largest NGO in the world, was knighted on February 17, 2010 by Prince Charles in a special royal ceremony at the Buckingham Palace.

The knighthood, announced in the Queen’s New Year Honours List, was awarded in recognition of Sir Fazle’s outstanding service to reducing poverty in Bangladesh and internationally. He is the first person of Bangladesh origin, since 1947, to be honoured with a knighthood by the British Crown.

According to a BRAC release, Sir Fazle was dubbed a knight with a sword belonging to the Queen’s father, King George VI. While conferring the knighthood, Prince Charles recalled visiting BRAC in Bangladesh and tanked Sir Fazle for his long service in reducing poverty.

Leaders from around the world have congratulated Sir Fazle on his knighthood. Jordan’s Queen Rania, in her message to Sir Fazle, said “More than just recognition of your tireless efforts to relieve poverty and disease in Bangladesh and abroad, this knighthood gives further momentum to your reputation as one of the most dynamic and selfless humanitarians of our time”.

Sir Fazle’s wife, Lady Sarwat Abed, and daughter and son were present at the ceremony.