Rahman, whose music in films and off them has mesmerized the international audience, will be part of a special group formed by the WHO to promote awareness about tuberculosis in developing as well as developed countries.

The WHO believes that appointing celebrities help propagate a cause much more effectively and hence the induction of an international figure like Rahman for the anti-tuberculosis campaign.

For his part, the musician feels he is honored by his new role. 'Tuberculosis is making a comeback in a way never seen before, claiming several lives in different parts of the world,' says Rahman whose scores for songs in popular films like Roja, Dil Se and Bombay have proved super-hits.

Rahman is the latest in an array of well-known personalities drawn from different walks of life to promote humanitarian causes. Popular Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan is the UNICEF ambassador while actress Shabana Azmi and actor Faruque Sheikh have joined the anti-polio campaign.