The cat who doesn’t meow: Zaima Rahman offers a peek into life with Zebu

Zaima opens up about the Siberian cat who quietly became family — and then went viral

Zaima Rahman, the daughter of BNP leader Tarique Rahman, has shared a glimpse into her life with her beloved pet cat Zebu, who has become a social media star in her own right.

In a post shared on her Facebook account on Monday, Zaima introduced Zebu, a Siberian cat, detailing her personality, daily habits and the special place she holds in her family. The post quickly gained traction online, with photos of Zebu spreading widely and sparking curiosity among animal lovers.

Zebu even made headlines of her own earlier this week when she travelled to Bangladesh with the family. After 17 years abroad, Tarique returned to the country on Dec 25 along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima, accompanied by Zebu on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Originally from Russia, Zebu is a 7-year-old Siberian cat, a breed known for its large build, thick triple-layered coat and calm yet confident temperament. Siberian cats are often described as emotionally intuitive, a trait that Zaima says rings true at home.

Reflecting on the attention Zebu has received since arriving in Bangladesh, Zaima wrote:

“I must admit I’m equally surprised and amused by the level of curiosity surrounding Zebu in Bangladesh. If only she understood!”

Zaima also spoke candidly about what it means to care for a pet, describing the responsibility and emotional bond that comes with it.

“Caring for an animal, any animal, is a great responsibility. After all, it is a life, a creation of Allah. When I first brought Zebu home as a kitten, I never imagined how deeply she would become part of our family,” she wrote.

Sharing intimate family moments, Zaima recalled how Zebu seamlessly became part of their daily lives.

“She would bounce around my mum as she gardened or walked through the neighbourhood,” she wrote.

Evenings, she said, belonged to her father and the cat.

“In the evenings she would curl up on my dad’s lap, enjoying a head massage while he finished his work calls,” she wrote, adding that Zebu seemed unusually attuned to her own emotions and often stayed close with gentle, reassuring movements.

Moving countries with a pet was no small task, Zaima noted.

“Any pet owner knows how challenging it can be to move homes with an animal. Zebu has now travelled across continents into a completely new world. For her small soul, this is a far greater upheaval than we humans may ever fully realise,” she wrote.

For Zaima, Zebu’s presence has shaped the family in unexpected ways.

“Through Zebu, our family has learned a great deal about patience, compassion for creatures big and small, and the beauty of loving and caring for one another even without a shared language. Love, after all, transcends species,” she wrote.

“We have always grown up with animals, and I truly believe that anyone privileged enough to care for another living being will learn far more about themselves than they might expect.”

And finally, Zaima shared a quirky detail about Zebu -- she doesn't meow.

“Fun fact about Zebu: she doesn’t meow! She never has, not even if she’s stuck inside a cupboard. Instead, she chirps softly like a bird when she’s happy or surprised, groans in mild protest if you carry her without permission, and can yowl quite aggressively at cats she doesn’t like!”