When Nazir Afzal's first child was born some people offered him their commiserations because she 'wasn't a boy'.
In no uncertain terms the proud dad 'told them what to do with their offer'.
More than 20 years later Mr Afzal's daughter Marina has graduated from Bristol University with a degree in law.
And while speaking of his pride at her achievement Mr Afzal, the former chief prosecutor for the North West and the man who helped bring the Rochdale grooming gang to justice, took a swipe at the misogynists who bemoaned her birth.
Mr Afzal, a practising Muslim who has spoken out in favour of women's rights and against forced marriage, tweeted: "Some people in community offered me their commiserations on birth of my first born, Marina, because she wasn’t a boy - I told them what to do with their offer.
"Today Storm Marina graduates in Law from Bristol Univ I couldn’t be more proud.
"Education is Empowerment."
But the reaction to his tweet, which has been liked more than 32,000 times, suggests that, hopefully, attitudes have begun to change.
Hundreds of people have replied to Mr Afzal offering Marina their congratulations.
Maqsood Ghulam Ahmad, chairman of the British Muslim Heritage Centre in Whalley Range, wrote: "Congratulations to you both.
"Thoroughly deserved. I have three beautiful daughters can't image my life without them. From the day the first one to the third were born, Allah blessed me with good health and happiness. Can't ask for more."
Surjit Kheras replied: "Must be a hugely proud moment for you.
"It's a sad reflection on our communities and whilst attitudes are slowly changing you still see and feel it today... just more subtle. Congratulations to you both."
Author Sarfraz Manzoor, screenwriter of Blinded by the Light, tweeted: "Congrats to you both."
And Rinku Guha Roy wrote: "Some people said to my Dad that they didn’t do as well as his younger brothers who had sons because he had 2 daughters.
"Well this first-born daughter of a Chemical Engineer is an Aerospace Engineer now, encouraged from a young age."
