I was born on April 5, 1987, into a respected Muslim family in Bangladesh. I grew up in the capital, Dhaka. After completing my O and A Levels from Scholastica School, I went to the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom for higher studies. There, I completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and later returned to Bangladesh. Following my postgraduate studies in 2011, I worked at several local automotive companies to gain experience until 2015, when I returned to Dhaka to join the family business.

I certainly had opportunities to build a career abroad. But I was raised in a political environment from an early age. I have come to realize that genuine patriotism is essential for practicing meaningful politics.

My father was a freedom fighter, a politician, a former minister, and the last mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation. He served as the vice chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and was the long-time president of the BNP’s Dhaka city unit. But to me, his most important identity is that he was a freedom fighter. It was out of consideration for my family and deep love for my country that I returned home.

Initially, I did not plan to enter politics. But later, under the guidance of my father, encouragement from senior party members, and driven by a strong desire to stand beside people, I stepped into the political arena. Some say I am young—and yes, I am. But I saw my father as a minister when I was just four years old. Growing up, I actively participated in all of his election campaigns. In truth, I began to understand politics from a very young age.

I am constantly learning and practicing politics with a deep understanding of history. It has been nearly 50 years since we achieved independence. But where do we stand now? The Liberation War began with the desire to resist the suppression of democracy. Yet even after all these years, effective democracy has not been established in our country. While there may be visible development—some projects, roads, and infrastructure—these are not signs of true, holistic progress. We could have achieved so much more.

I believe a qualitative change in political leadership is necessary. If our democratic institutions are strengthened, if Parliament becomes functional, if the judiciary is truly independent, and if the administration doesn’t merge itself with political interests, then real change will not take long.