The managing director of the Unique Group, Mohd Noor Ali, has been presented with the prestigious "Mother Teresa International Award" in recognition of his outstanding contributions to both industry and social work.
The award-giving ceremony took place at Dubai's Conrad Hotel on Saturday. This event gathered eminent figures from diverse fields and was jointly hosted by the "Mother Teresa International Award Committee" and the "All India Minority & Weaker Section Council."
The first Mother Teresa International Award was posthumously conferred upon late Jyoti Basu, the former chief minister of the Indian state of West Bengal, for 2000-2001. Noteworthy individuals who have received this prestigious award include former Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, legendary late singer Manna Dey, accomplished cricketer Ajit Wadekar, former Nepalese prime minister late Girija Prasad Koirala, and other esteemed global figures.
Mohd Noor Ali, a valiant freedom fighter, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Mother Teresa International Award Committee for recognising him as an exemplary Bangladeshi entrepreneur. He also paid glowing tributes to Mother Teresa.
"I take immense pride in being associated with an award that has previously honoured esteemed individuals such as former chief minister of West Bengal, late Jyoti Basu, former prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other luminaries from diverse domains like education, culture, music, social work, sports, industries, media, medicine, and film," he remarked.
He highlighted Mother Teresa's role as a beacon of hope for the underprivileged worldwide. Her selfless dedication to the welfare of the destitute and her all-encompassing love for faiths and communities left an enduring impact.
“No matter her thoughts, she transformed them into actions without hypocrisy. She embodied profound humanitarian qualities," stated Noor Ali.
"Mother Teresa exemplified three invaluable qualities—openness and frankness, unyielding willpower, and eloquence paired with alertness. She embodied three vital characteristics—selflessness, dedication, and the ability to identify genuine needs,” he added.
Mohd Noor Ali shared a common life path with Mother Teresa, both having lost a parent during their formative years. After obtaining Master’s Degree in Social Science from the University of Dhaka in 1978, he felt an obligation to engage in a profession that would contribute to his homeland's progress.
"I was among many unemployed youths in Bangladesh. This is why I resolved to focus on human resource development and generating employment opportunities for the middle and lower-middle class people," said Noor Ali.
He proudly revealed that he has provided employment for around three lakh people at home and abroad. "Even with 20 diverse business ventures, my priorities remain centred around education, hospitality, and healthcare," he said.
Throughout his illustrious career, Noor Ali has embodied the ideals of responsibility, dedication, and strategic vision.
Under his dynamic leadership, the Unique Group has strategically diversified into various business units, including the renowned Unique Hotel and Resorts PLC, which encompasses distinguished establishments like The Westin Dhaka, Sheraton Dhaka, and HANSA Premium Residence.
Beyond his role as a businessman, Noor Ali is a valiant freedom fighter, a visionary dreamer, a dedicated philanthropist, and an inspirational leader. His forward-thinking leadership has not only contributed to the nation's growth and significant employment opportunities but has also showcased Bangladesh's progress on the global stage.
In alignment with his business endeavours, Noor Ali is passionately engaged in social welfare through entities like the Noor Ali Family Trust (NAFT) and the Salina Noor Charitable Foundation (SNCF). The latter is dedicated to charitable initiatives for the betterment of society.
Established by Mohd Noor Ali, the Unique Group is a dynamic and diversified conglomerate in Bangladesh, leaving a significant impact across various sectors. Driven by ethical business practices and community advancement, the Unique Group stands as a leader in its respective domains.
As a prominent business entity in Bangladesh, the Unique Group encompasses a range of companies spanning sectors such as manpower supply, real estate, hospitality management, education, healthcare, training and development, energy, power, financial institutions, agriculture, and information technology.
Born in 1954 in Nawabganj, Dhaka, Mohd Noor Ali is the proud son of late Md Hakim Ali and late Sufia Khatun. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science from the University of Dhaka in 1977.
