CAIRO – 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, 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.