Nisma Rafiq Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Dar Al Hekma University and Toastmasters organized “Jeddah Youthista” recently providing platform to young minds to voice their ideas. Eight best female speakers from Jeddah were selected after auditions, and they talked about social initiatives, motivation and ideas that plays beneficial role in society. As it is said, great mind have purposes; others have wishes, so at Jeddah Youthista great minds came up with purpose of bringing change in simple style. “There is potential in youth, and we have seen so many great successful people sharing their stories,” Sadia Shafqat, student of A levels and organizer of the event told Saudi Gazette. “Whereas, Jeddah Youthista is the platform for the minds that has not yet explored, ideas that are not shared.” Master of Ceremonies Mazza FarajAllah hosted the event. Maryam Al Dabbagh began the ceremony recitation of verses of Holy Qur'an. The colors of ideas started flowing on the stage after guest speakers, Dr. Areej Asseri and Dr. Sanaa Askool, Dean of Students at DAH. The first participant Marlyn Susan, 16, came up with ‘The Million Dollar Question' on how to achieve 100% guaranteed success? “We have seen successful people, but nobody told us how to succeed,” said the IISJ student while highlighting the reason for her choice of the topic. “I have been to Google, Wikipedia and so many other sources and came up with three points. ‘Face People around you, choose the correct voice and overcome fear of failure.'” She gave the example of Thomas Edison, who failed 999 times but didn't give up. Suaad Khan a proud bibliophile talked about fear of public speaking i.e. glossophobia (subset of social phobia) and the ways to overcome it in order to become successful leaders of tomorrow and take the world by storm. She shared the example of famous celebrities who faced the same fear by proving the point that even though they had glossophobia, they stood up and faced the world. An educator, a global citizen, representative of KSA at UNAOC and a member of ‘We are peace' a nonprofit network, Firdous Khan came up with the heart wrenching challenges faced by youth voices and the power it holds. “Voices are heard, yet unheard,” she said during her speech. “The voice of youth is the connection and reflection because they are the voice of those who need support.” Voices if heard can educate, empower and bring change. Bayyan Hussain, an interior design student, raised the question if it is possible to be perfectly happy, and talked about the importance of optimism. “Being happy doesn't mean you don't have problems, but you have decided to deal with those problems. Life is all about choices.” She shared her success formula at the end of the event, “When I am happy, I am productive when I am productive I am successful.” Though the speeches were quite empowering and refreshing, Jeddah Youthista also organized entertainment sessions between talks including piano performance and singing by Raghad Al Attas, Rawan Al Drees and Maryam Al Dabbagh. Zainab Mulji, a vibrant and vivacious toastmaster, stole the show in her strong influential tone by describing how it is to be ‘Locked away from life' under the title ‘Not by Choice' and narrating the story of Iqbal Masih, who is a symbol of abusive child labor in the developing world, leaving the audiences spellbound on the difference a choice can make. Maliha Aftab stunned everyone by narrating her personal journey from being an ordinary girl to an aspiring artist and displaying her vibrant artwork. “Find something that can empower you, believe in it as it could change your entire life.” “Grasp every opportunity because tomorrow is not promised as today is what holds us back,” said the seventh speaker Hanan Asghar, founding member of Freedom Traveler, and contributor to WSIS knowledge communities, educator and editor of Voice of Youth. She talked about ‘Wonders among us' and how a little change in teaching strategy or even personal thought can shape our today. Mehwish Irshad, a BBA graduate, came up with her unique oratory skills and talked on the importance of breaking boundaries and accepting diversity under the title ‘Embracing the unknown'. “Utopia comes from within,” she raised a point. The stirring and inspiring event ended with the handing out of mementoes and certificates to the participants by Dr. Sanaa Askool and Dr. Chaman Rahim, advisier of Dar Al Hekma Toastmasters. Aabiya Noman, co-director and Interior Design student at DAH appreciated the institute for accepting the proposal and the toastmasters for supporting and organizing the event.
