LONDON – Five-year-old Muslim kid
Ayan Qureshi has been certified as the
youngest-ever Microsoft expert after
passing the American multinational
corporation's test successfully.
“I like compasses and telescopes, but
what I love most is the prisms,” Ayan
was quoted by Morocco World News
on Monday, November 24, as telling
The Independent.
“The rainbow colored light reflected
through the prism is amazing.”
Qureshi, a British Muslim of Pakistani origin,
has become a Microsoft Certified
Professional (MCP) after passing successfully
through “rigorous, industry-proven and
industry-recognized exams.”
Taking the test, the young boy squeaked by
in the test with a minimum score of 700 out
of 1000 to become what can only be
assumed to be the youngest ever Microsoft
Certified Professional just before his sixth
birthday.
His dad, an IT professional, describes how
his son showed interest in computers from
early age.
“He used to sit next to me and watch me
very carefully,” the dad, Asim Qureshi, told
Wired website.
“It’s not easy to pass the test,” he added.
Therefore, the dad started showing him the
basics of how to use a computer, and soon
enough Ayan had his own little workshop
set up where he could mess around with
operating systems.
Although he’s now a Certified Professional,
it’s still going to be awhile before Ayan puts
his skills on the market.
“At the moment, he’s just concentrating on
his school,” says Asim Qureshi.
“But he also will be improving his IT skills.”
Ayan is not the first gifted Muslim child to be
certified as Microsoft expert at such a young
age.
Arfa Karim, also a Pakistani girl, was named
in 2004, at only nine years old, as the
youngest Microsoft Certified Professional.
An extraordinarily gifted girl, Karim was
selected as Pakistan's representative at
major international tech conventions and
forums, and was invited to meet with Bill
Gates.
She died in January 2012 following epileptic
seizure, and despite receiving top-of-the-line
medical treatment paid for by Bill Gates.