‏By Abu Chulliyode

‏JEDDAH — The first Saudi Arabian Toastmasters Annual Conference (SATAC) of newly chartered District 104 was held at Ramada Hotel. Club members from Abha, Jazan and Madinah and other parts of the Western region thronged the venue to know who would represent Saudi Arabia in the 2018 Toastmasters International Convention of the World Championship of Public Speaking to be held in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The theme of the conference was “Development through Diversity.”

‏The phenomenal growth of Toastmasters’ clubs in Saudi Arabia was spawned by Mohammed Al Qahtani’s World Championship title in Public Speaking in 2015.

‏Faisal Abdalla, vice president of Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, was the keynote speaker. He said, “Change is the oxygen of growth.” He appreciated the Toastmasters fraternity for voluntarily coming out for their own self-development. He urged members to come out of their comfort zone to confront the changes that’s happening around them.

‏“If you are static with stubborn attitude to change, your presence will be irrelevant and obsolete,” he asserted in a PowerPoint presentation. He gave many examples of well-known companies that have been phased out from the arena whereas some companies who have shown their mettle to face reality and willing to change are rising as global conglomerates.

‏The main highlight of the conference was the International speech contest. Fouad A. Alhawsawi of Madinah Toastmasters Club emerged as the champion of the conference thus qualifying to represent District 104 in the World Championship of Public Speaking. When the contest master Mohammed Johani announced Alhawsawi’s name, the audience gave him a thunderous applause and standing ovation.

‏His speech story was woven by his own childhood woes and worries. Alhawsawi portrayed the rocky path he trod on as well as his all-out struggles supplemented with a burning desire that enabled him to overcome all obstacles. He could not believe when the contest master announced his name and wept for joy along with his mother reminiscing his childhood days. Mohammed Naeem (Prime Toastmasters Club) and Khalid A. Alqarni (Learn 4 Life Club) earned second and third places respectively.

‏SATAC Chairman DTM Mohammed Kunhi opened the conference and congratulated all participants. He extended his adulation to all committee members for making the conference successful. District 104 Director DTM Rashid Ali addressed the audience. Ali expressed his appreciation for the committee for their extraordinary efforts that made the contest possible. He gave some glimpses about his Toastmasters journey starting from 2003 at Abdul Latif Jameel Company.

‏Though he was skeptic about Toastmasters in the initial stage, he was convinced of its tremendous benefits following his first club meeting. He conveyed his deep gratitude to Faisal Abdalla, who initiated the Toastmasters club at Abdul Latif Jameel Company back in 2002 that produced many Toastmasters leaders and proficient speakers and he is proud for being one of the pioneers. “Toastmasters allows you to meet divergent people with diverse background but with all serving each other for the development of themselves. This is the beauty of Toastmasters,” he said.

‏Mohammed S. Khalil’s (Madinah Toastmasters Club) speech seamlessly switched between his own ambitions and impediments that failed to allure people mocking his own personal looks. His outstanding performance struck a chord with the audience that was greeted with loud laughter from the audience earning him the first place in Humorous speech contest. Karen Javed (Jeddah Elite Ladies Club) clinched the second prize and Fahad Ghazwani (Jazan Club) got the third prize.

‏In Table Topics speech contest, Kashef Quraishi of Al Sharam Club won first place while Sheikh Khaja Mohideen (Hope Club) and Maryam Abdul Hafeez Khan (Dar Al Hekma Club) were adjudged second and third place winners respectively.

‏Nadine Mojadidi of Nesma Club won the first place in Evaluation speech segment. Whereas Omer Aqeel Khan (Galaxy Advanced Club) got second prize and Sheikh Khaja Mohideen (Hope Club) secured third place in this category. Arabic speech contests were also held simultaneously at different hall.

‏Election for the new committee for the program year 2019-2019 was held. Parliamentarian DTM Joey Villanueva administered the oath for the incoming District team led by DTM Marwan Dashash. Speaking at the function, Dashash thanked the SATAC Excom for electing him as District 104 Director and affirmed his commitment toward Toastmasters. Dashash sought the continued support of all members for the District and pledged to carry forward the legacy left by his predecessors.

‏The program began with a spectacular banner parade followed by Saudi national anthem. In honor of the country of the incumbent District Director, Indian national anthem was also played as part of Toastmasters’ tradition.

‏DTM Omar Fattah and Shankar Vishwanathan were the masters of ceremony for the first day while DTM Mosleh Elemarani and DTM Vennie Legaspi were emcee for the second day. DTMs Tess Villanueva, Aboobacker Abdul Rahman and Ahmed Wazir were the contest masters. DTMs Abdul Rahman Hawsawi, Rhic Briones, Joey Villanueva and Omar Fattah played the role of chief judge in their respective contests. Co-Chair DTM Riyaz Sarang proposed vote of thanks and adjourned the conference.