Mohammad Ali Arafat, the ruling Awami League lawmaker from Dhaka-17, was appointed the state minister for information and broadcasting in the 37-strong cabinet formed on Thursday.
Born on May 2, 1973, M Arafat is a teacher at Canadian University of Bangladesh. His academic interests include, among others, small businesses and their relations with economic growth, capital and connectivity.
He is a Syndicate member and chief adviser to the board of trustees of the university.
Previously, he had served at the Independent University of Bangladesh after his return to Bangladesh upon finishing higher studies in the US.
M Arafat is also the chairperson of the Dhaka-based non-profit social-advocacy organization, Suchinta Foundation. His foundation has, among others, done extensive advocacy work in poverty eradication in Bangladesh through entrepreneurship development.
He was made a member of the party's central working committee on January 1 last year. Later, he contested the by-election to Dhaka-17 constituency on July 17 and became an MP for the first time.
M Arafat holds advanced business degrees from Texas A&M University at Prairie View and Oklahoma State University.
In recent months, M Arafat became a part of the party’s official meetings with diplomats.
He is a well-recognized voice in TV talk shows, popular for his sharp wit and reasoned arguments. He is also a popular face in social media, including Facebook, X, and YouTube.
