AN INDIAN restaurant owner has been awarded an honourary degree for his career in catering, charity work, and work with Bangladeshi communities.

Businessman and philanthropist, Muhammad Siraj Ali, a British Bangladeshi based in Thurrock was awarded the degree by the University of Essex.

The newly honoured Dr Ali (Hon), Owner of The Maharaja in Benfleet, has had an illustrious career since he first arrived from Bangladesh as an 11 year old boy, with limited English speaking skills and only a few pounds in his pocket.

He is also the man credited with "introducing Indian Food to Thurrock".

Fresh from Bangladesh, a country which was in the midst of of the Indo-Pakistani war, he arrived in the UK in 1967 and had no choice but to start his working life as a waiter at the cusp of his teenage years, with no chance of going to college or university.

Today, Siraj is a very successful restaurateur and philanthropist.

In his successful 47-year career, he has used his success and experiences to create jobs, broaden cultural understanding, and promote philanthropic activity in Essex and Bangladesh.

In that time he has raised millions of pounds for charitable causes in Essex through his popular restaurant, and has been involved in building schools and hospitals for the needy, in Bangladesh.

Speaking after receiving the award, he said: “It’s a great honour to receive this honorary degree from the University of Essex, one of the best universities in the UK.

"I am honoured the University has recognised me and my hard work. For me running a restaurant was never just about the food. It was the opportunity to break down cultural barriers, build communications and help communities.

"This was so important to me that over the decades I’ve been able to raise millions for charities in Essex and beyond and I have been lucky enough to work with the UK’s most high profile Members of Parliament.”

Siraj has helped to raise over £3 million for charity through special charity fundraising nights – managing as many as 200 events per year – and leading the way for other local restaurants to follow suit.

His charitable efforts have even seen his dishes flown to 150 UN troops in the Congo and has been invited to cook for Parliament.