They said Prof Yunus has made Bangladesh and its people proud by winning the prestigious Nobel Prize in Peace for his innovative concept of micro-credit to alleviate poverty.

President Iajuddin Ahmed in a message said the image of Bangladesh will be brightened further across the world with Prof Yunus' winning the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

He wished Prof Yunus good health and happiness and further success in his mission for economic emancipation of the poor in Bangladesh.

PM Khaleda Zia in her message said the much-awaited award for Dr Yunus is the highest recognition to his outstanding contributions to poverty alleviation in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world.

Bangladesh is proud of the first ever Nobel Prize for any of her citizen, she said, adding that the achievement will enhance the dignity and honour of the country in the international arena.

The micro-credit programme of Prof Yunus has benefited millions of poor Bangladeshis while his innovation has been applied successfully in many countries of the world, she said.

Leader of the Opposition and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who is now in the USA, congratulated Prof Yunus and his Grameen Bank for winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

In a message Hasina said Prof Yunus has made Bangladesh and its people proud and the prize is not only a great honour for Prof Yunus himself, but also a pride for Bangladesh.

She prayed for Prof Yunus' good health so that he may continue his mission.

Congratulating Prof Yunus, eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain said Prof Yunus' winning the Nobel Peace Prize is a recognition for all, especially the oppressed and tortured. He wished the society would be free from oppression and torture and peace would be established.

Speaker in parliament Jamir Uddin Sircar, Deputy Speaker Akhter Hamid Siddique, cabinet members, Dhaka University Teachers' Association President Prof Sharifullah Bhuiyan and General Secretary Akhtaruzzaman, Jatiya Party Chairman Anwar Hossain Monju and Secretary General Shahidul Islam, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu and General Secretary Syed Zafar Sajjad, Sammilto Samajik Andolon, Bangladesh Manobadhikar Samonnoy Parishad, Bangladesh Cricket Control Board, World Peace Mission, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Post Graduate Doctors' Association, Bangladesh Protibondhi Kalyan Samity, and Samata also lauded Prof Yunus for winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2006.