Mother’s inspiration his driving force

Mohammad Zakaria Photo: Collected

Mohammad Zakaria, the student who secured the top position in "Kha" unit of Dhaka University admission test this year, said his mother's inspiration was the driving force behind his success at the test.

He scored 80.5 marks among 41,524 applicants who took the test under the unit at the university. Out of them, only 2,378 will be able to get admission.

Hailing from Badarpur village in Patuakhali Sadar upazila, Zakaria passed Alim (HSC equivalent) in 2020 from Daar-un-Nazat Kamil Madrasa in Demra area of Dhaka.

His younger brother Zarir Hossain, a ninth grader, is also a student of the same madrasa.

Their mother Kazi Tahera Parveen Zakia works as a teacher at a madrasa in Barisal's Bakerganj upazila and his father Shahidul Islam Selim works at a pharmaceutical company in Gazipur.

While speaking with this correspondent over phone on November 3, Zakaria said he dreams of becoming a lawyer and later serving the country through active participation in politics.

His mother, who holds honours and master's degrees in Islamic Studies from Eden Mohila College in Dhaka, said Zakaria had always been attentive in his studies from his early childhood.

He got 'Golden GPA-5' in primary education completion exams in 2011 from South Badarpur Government Primary School in Patuakhali Sadar, before getting admitted to sixth grade at Pangasia Nesaria Kamil Madrasa in a neighbouring village.

After passing sixth grade at the madrasa, Zakaria spent two years to memorise (Hifz) the Qur'an.

Afterwards, he returned to the Pangasia madrasa to finish eighth grade and then he got admission at the Kamil madrasa in Dhaka's Demra as a residential student, his mother said, adding that he passed Dakhil (SSC equivalent) from the institution in 2018. 

Seeking everyone's blessings in his endeavour, Zakaria told this correspondent that he wants to join politics only after completing his education and becoming a prominent lawyer.

"My mother's inspiration is the key to my success," he reiterated.

Locals in Badarpur village said Zakaria has made them proud through his success.

Former union parishad member Abu Zafar Talukder said all the villagers hope that Zakaria will prosper in life.