In a heartwarming display of academic excellence and interfaith harmony, a 15-year-old Sikh student named Onkar Singh has topped the Class 9 examination conducted by the Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) in Pakistan. What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is his near-perfect score in Islamiyat, a subject centered on the religion, worldview, and civilization of Islam.

Onkar, the son of Minmal Singh, not only secured A grades across all subjects but also achieved an impressive 98 out of 100 in Islamiyat. Furthermore, he scored 49 out of 50 in the Translation of the Holy Quran. His success is especially noteworthy considering that Islamiyat is a compulsory subject for Muslim students in Pakistan. Minority students typically take General Studies instead.

Onkar's performance stands out against the backdrop of a concerningly low overall pass rate of just 45.08% in the Lahore BISE Class 9 exams. Out of 308,073 students who appeared for the exams, only 138,894 managed to pass. This makes Onkar's accomplishment even more significant, highlighting his dedication and academic prowess. He also scored 60 each in Physics and Chemistry, 59 in Biology, 75 in English, and 74 in Urdu.

This isn't the first time a Sikh student has excelled in Pakistani board exams. In 2016, Aimanjeet Kaur of Lahore became the first Sikh girl to secure the highest marks in the matriculation examination. In 2015, Manbir Kaur, another Sikh girl, also topped her Class 10 board exams.

Onkar's success is being celebrated as a symbol of academic excellence and interfaith harmony. His achievement demonstrates a deep understanding and respect for diverse faith traditions. His story also shines a light on the academic potential within Pakistan's Sikh community, even as its population continues to decline.

The BISE Lahore has announced that a special ceremony will be held to felicitate the top performers from all nine Punjab boards, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, and Sargodha.

Onkar Singh's remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration to students of all backgrounds and a testament to the power of education in fostering understanding and respect across different faiths.