Celebrity Cat ‘Jebu’ Goes Viral as Tarique Rahman Returns Home After 17 Years
After a gap of 17 years, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman. They arrived on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight. Accompanying the family on the journey was an unexpected celebrity—‘Jebu’, a fluffy pet cat whose photos have since gone viral on social media.
Jebu is a Siberian cat, a breed that originated in Russia. Nearly seven years old, this breed is comparatively large in size and known for its dense, soft, three-layered fur. Though generally calm in nature, Siberian cats are confident and highly sensitive to human emotions. For this reason, many people consider them “emotional companions.”
Perhaps inspired by this emotional bond, Zaima Rahman recently shared the story of Jebu’s upbringing. On Monday, December 29, she wrote a detailed post on her verified Facebook account, describing how Jebu grew from a tiny kitten, what a typical day in his life looks like, and his distinct personality traits.
In her post, Zaima Rahman wrote that she is both surprised and amused by the curiosity surrounding Jebu. “Seeing so much interest in Jebu has left me a little surprised, but I’m also enjoying it. I wonder what he would think if he could understand all this,” she wrote.
She further reflected on the responsibility of raising an animal, noting that caring for any living being is a major commitment, as animals too are creations of Allah. She recalled that when Jebu was first brought home as a small kitten, she never imagined he would become such an important member of the family. There were times, she wrote, when her parents would return home and ask about Jebu before asking about her. She also shared vivid memories of her mother gardening or going for walks in the neighborhood, with Jebu hopping around her playfully.
Zaima Rahman also highlighted the special care and affection Jebu receives within the family. She wrote that in the evenings, Jebu would curl up in her father’s lap until his online meetings were over, enjoying gentle strokes on his head. With Zaima herself, Jebu seemed to instinctively understand her emotional state, offering companionship in his own way with soft touches of his paws and body.
She pointed out that pet owners know how difficult it can be to move homes with animals. Now, Jebu has crossed continents to arrive in an entirely new world. For such a small creature, she noted, this change is immense and potentially distressing—something humans may never fully comprehend.
Emphasizing the lessons learned through Jebu, Zaima Rahman said the family has learned patience, compassion for all living beings—big or small—and the beauty of love and care beyond language. “Love does not recognize the boundaries of species,” she wrote.
She added that growing up around animals has shaped her deeply, and she truly believes that anyone who is fortunate enough to take responsibility for another living being learns far more about themselves than they ever imagined.
Sharing a lighthearted detail, Zaima Rahman revealed a fun fact about Jebu: he never says “meow.” Not even when stuck inside a wardrobe. Instead, when he is happy or surprised, he makes soft, bird-like sounds. If picked up without permission, he expresses mild annoyance with a low grumble. And when confronted with cats he dislikes, Jebu does not hesitate to scream loudly.
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