Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu, also legally known as ISLAM, Muhammad Fakhrul and by his Chinese name 孫逸仙 (Sun Yat-sen), is a Bangladeshi-born, naturalized Chinese citizen, entrepreneur, researcher, civil activist, and community leader based in Hong Kong. He is widely recognized for his contributions to business, humanitarian service, cultural diplomacy, civic participation, research, and social development across Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and the wider region. His life and work reflect a sustained commitment to leadership, intercultural understanding, public welfare, and lifelong learning.
Born on 20 July 1977 into a Muslim family in Bangladesh, Dr. Islam developed an early dedication to education, service, and social responsibility. He graduated in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and later pursued advanced studies in international trade, earning both a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in the field. His academic path demonstrates a rare combination of technical expertise, economic understanding, and strategic vision. Alongside his formal academic achievements, he has consistently invested in professional development, strengthening his knowledge in leadership, management, finance, and organizational strategy.
Dr. Islam is known for his strong commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth. Over the years, he has completed numerous international certifications in management, leadership, and business-related fields. These include an Advanced Professional Certificate in Leadership & Management, Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, Leadership Fundamentals, Essential Management Skills, Strategy and Operations, Human Resource Management, MBA studies, Finance and Accounting, and Economics and International Business. He also holds a Project Manager Ebusiness (PME) credential. These qualifications highlight his dedication to sharpening his professional capabilities and broadening his understanding of modern business and institutional leadership.
As an entrepreneur and business leader, Dr. Islam has founded and led several organizations that reflect his commitment to economic development and international collaboration. He is the President of the China-Bangladesh Friendship Center (CBFC 中孟友好中心), where he works to strengthen mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation between China and Bangladesh. He is also the founder and President of Asian Club Limited (亞會有限公司) in Hong Kong, an initiative focused on unity, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation. In addition, he founded the Dr. Muhammad Fakhrul Islam Foundation, a charitable platform dedicated to supporting distressed and underprivileged people in Bangladesh, including orphans and vulnerable families. He is also organizing the Hong Kong Association of Naturalized Chinese (香港歸化華人協會), which seeks to support naturalized Chinese citizens through integration, advocacy, and cultural celebration.
Dr. Islam has also maintained a strong presence in civic and public affairs in Hong Kong. In 2023, he stood as a candidate in the Hong Kong patriot-only District Council election, reflecting his commitment to public service and to prioritizing Hong Kong’s interests. Following his election efforts, he continued serving the Hong Kong SAR Government with dedication as a Yau Tsim Mong South Area Committee Member and a Yau Tsim Mong Tsim Sha Tsui Central Care Team Member. Through these roles, he contributes to local governance, community support, civic participation, and grassroots engagement with residents from diverse backgrounds.
A defining feature of Dr. Islam’s public philosophy is his emphasis on ethnic harmony, civic inclusion, and people-centered development. He has proposed a renewed interpretation of the “Three Principles of the People,” emphasizing ethnic harmony, public opinion as the root, and people’s livelihood as the foundation. This framework reflects his belief in social cohesion, informed civic discourse, and practical welfare. His work often centers on helping people protect themselves, navigate complex systems, understand institutions, and access opportunities that can improve their lives.
In addition to his work in business and public service, Dr. Islam has emerged as a researcher with growing contributions in social psychology, mental health, and public well-being in Bangladesh. His recent publications, available through SSRN and related academic platforms, focus on the cultural and social dimensions of mental health stigma, emotional distress, and well-being. Among his notable papers are Breaking the Silence: A Socio-Psychological Analysis of Mental Health Stigma in Bangladesh (December 2025), Unspoken Minds: Cultural and Social Dimensions of Mental Health Stigma in Bangladesh (March 2026), and Learning About Well-Being: Academic Pressure, Silent Emotional Distress, and School-Based Mental Health Literacy in Bangladesh (March 2026). These studies examine stigma, labeling, community resilience, student stress, and structural barriers to mental health awareness in Bangladesh. His broader academic interests also include public health research methods, socioeconomic psychological studies, and development-related themes.
Humanitarian service has remained at the center of Dr. Islam’s life for more than two decades. He has worked extensively with oppressed and underprivileged communities, distressed individuals, and orphaned children, especially in Bangladesh. Known for his compassionate and therapeutic communication style, he has dedicated himself to supporting vulnerable people, consulting on benefits, guiding individuals through challenges, and helping them work toward education, stability, and dignity. Before building his own enterprises, he gained valuable professional experience in multinational organizations, which strengthened both his adaptability and leadership capacity.
Dr. Islam’s long-standing dedication to service is also evident in his deep involvement with Rotary International. He is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Dhaka Orchid, RID 3281, Bangladesh, and currently serves as a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile, RID 3450, Hong Kong. From 2015 to 2021, he served as a Technical Adviser for The Rotary Foundation. His Rotary journey has been marked by consistent leadership and humanitarian engagement, and he is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and a major donor. His commitment to the Rotary ideal of service has earned him notable distinctions over the years.
Dr. Islam has received several awards and honors in recognition of his service, leadership, and humanitarian contributions. These include the Service Above Self Award (2012), the Best Rotarian Award (2013), the TRUB Award (2021), the Human Rights Award (2024), and the Icon of Change Award (2025) in Hong Kong. In 2025, he also received honorary doctorate recognition for his outstanding contributions to community service, humanitarian action, and public leadership. These honors reflect both a lifetime of dedication and his continuing impact across professional, civic, and charitable spheres.
Originally from Bangladesh, Dr. Islam later accepted Chinese citizenship and adopted the name 孫逸仙 (Sun Yat-sen), symbolizing his commitment to his adopted home and his embrace of intercultural identity. He now resides in Hong Kong as a naturalized Chinese citizen and is widely known as Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu 孫逸仙. His English legal name is ISLAM, Muhammad Fakhrul, and his Chinese legal name is 孫逸仙.
Beyond his public, academic, and professional life, Dr. Islam is a devoted family man. He is the father of two sons. His elder son, Master ISLAM Muhammad Tazimul 孫塔吉姆, is a Secondary Three student at a local college in Hong Kong, while his younger son, Master ISLAM Muhammad Latiful 孫洛褅福, is in Secondary One at the same college. His family remains an important source of strength, inspiration, and purpose.
Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu’s life reflects an exceptional blend of entrepreneurship, scholarship, civic engagement, humanitarian service, and continuous self-improvement. Through his work in business, social advocacy, government-related community service, cultural bridge-building, research, and philanthropy, he continues to make meaningful contributions to Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and beyond.
Writer: Tahrima Akter