by Ro Maung Shwe
Bangladesh | 2026
In a remarkable story of resilience, dedication, and faith, Hafiz Mohammad Kamal bin Sirajul Islam, a 23 year old Rohingya Islamic student, has secured first position in the Final Central Examination of the Academic Year 2026, achieving the highest score of 946 out of 1000 marks.
The examination was conducted under the administration of the Bangladesh Private Islamic University Federation, a respected body overseeing Islamic higher education institutions in Bangladesh.
The Rohingya community has celebrated the achievement as an important academic milestone. According to the official mark sheet issued by the authority under the board of the Private Madrasah Education System in Bangladesh, Kamal obtained 946 marks and received the grade “Excellent,” placing him at the top among students across the country.
For many in the Rohingya community, the achievement represents more than individual success. It reflects the potential of Rohingya youth when they are able to access education and opportunities despite the challenges of displacement.
Early Life and Background
Hafiz Mohammad Kamal is the son of Sirajul Islam and originally comes from Yei Twin Kyaun, also known as Raimmor Bill village, in the northern part of Maungdaw Township in Arakan State of Myanmar.
In August 2017, during the military crackdown against the Rohingya population, Kamal and his family were forced to flee their homeland, like hundreds of thousands of others. The violence included mass killings, widespread destruction of villages, and serious human rights abuses.
Seeking safety, the family crossed into Bangladesh and later settled in Cox’s Bazar. Today they live in Camp 26 in the Teknaf area, part of the world’s largest and most overcrowded refugee camp.
Despite the difficult conditions of refugee life, Kamal continued to pursue his education.
Commitment to Islamic Education
Kamal’s journey in Islamic education began long before displacement. While still living in Myanmar, he memorized the Holy Qur’an and became a Hafiz e Qur’an. He also continued studying Islamic subjects at a local madrasa.
After arriving in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, he resumed his studies with determination. He enrolled at Leda Madrasa Ibn Abbas, where he restarted his education from Class 7 and continued progressing through the traditional Islamic curriculum.
His dedication to learning was strongly supported by his family. His elder brother, Mohammed Sadek, played an important role by helping cover educational expenses and encouraging him to continue pursuing higher Islamic scholarship and share Islamic teachings.
Higher Studies at Jamia Islamia Patiya
With continued effort and family support, Mohammad Kamal later gained admission to Jamia Islamia Patiya in Chittagong, one of the well known Islamic institutions in Bangladesh.
Under the guidance of experienced scholars and Sheikhul Hadith, and with encouragement from teachers and family members, Kamal focused intensively on his studies. His discipline and commitment to Islamic scholarship soon distinguished him among his fellow students.
In the Central Examination of 2026, held under the Bangladesh Private Islamic University Federation, Kamal achieved the highest rank across Bangladesh with a score of 946 marks.
The examination included advanced Islamic sciences, including the study of classical Hadith collections such as Sahih al Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan al Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan al Nasa’i, Sharh Ma’ani al Athar, and Al Muwatta of Imam Malik.
These subjects require deep understanding and rigorous study, reflecting the demanding academic environment in which Kamal excelled.
Academic Excellence and Dedication
According to the official mark sheet, Kamal demonstrated strong academic performance across all subjects, particularly in the classical sciences of Hadith and Islamic scholarship.
Excelling in these disciplines requires strong memory, analytical ability, and sustained dedication to the study of Islamic teachings and scholarly traditions.
Achieving the top position among students across Bangladesh highlights Kamal’s perseverance, discipline, and commitment to learning.
Continuing His Path in Islamic Scholarship
Currently, Mohammad Kamal is continuing his higher specialization in the Mufti programme at Jamia Islamia Patiya, where he is further developing his knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence and advanced religious studies.
His goal is to serve Islam through teaching and Dawah, sharing knowledge with others and contributing to the spread of Islamic scholarship.
Appreciation for Islamic Institutions in Bangladesh
Community members also note that the achievement reflects the role played by Islamic educational institutions in Bangladesh. Institutions such as Jamia Islamia Patiya and others across the country continue to maintain long traditions of Islamic scholarship.
Scholars, Sheikhul Hadith, and teachers working in these institutions dedicate their lives to educating students and guiding them academically and spiritually.
Members of the Rohingya community have expressed gratitude to these institutions and scholars for welcoming students from difficult backgrounds and allowing them to pursue higher Islamic education.
A Message of Hope for the Rohingya Community
For many Rohingya observers, Mohammad Kamal’s journey from a refugee camp to the highest academic rank in a national examination offers an important message of hope.
His experience shows how talent, determination, and faith can overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
“The Rohingya do not ask for sympathy. They ask for opportunity. When given opportunity, their achievements will speak for themselves,” community members say.
A Call to the Younger Generation
For Rohingya youth, Kamal’s achievement also carries a broader lesson. The pursuit of knowledge is both a path to personal development and an important responsibility within Islamic tradition.
In earlier generations, many Islamic scholars faced great difficulties while seeking knowledge. Students from regions such as Myanmar often had to travel long distances to cities like Karachi in Pakistan or various parts of India in order to study Islamic sciences.
Today, access to education is possible through Islamic institutions, madrasas, and other learning resources.
Community members say young Rohingya should take inspiration from examples such as Mohammad Kamal and commit themselves to learning and teaching Islam.
Studying the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic sciences, they say, strengthens faith, protects identity, and enables communities to contribute positively to the wider Muslim world.
Inspiring the Future
For the Rohingya community, Mohammad Kamal’s achievement represents more than academic success. It stands as a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and hope.
His journey serves as a reminder that even in difficult circumstances, education has the power to transform lives and open the path to a brighter future.
Community members have offered prayers for his continued success and hope that he will become a respected scholar who shares knowledge with wisdom and sincerity.
