JEDDAH — Student leaders of IISJ stepped up to the plate and delivered mesmerizing speeches at the annual graduation ceremony. Pledging to bring laurels to their alma mater, they paid glowing tributes to their teachers, school officials and their parents and thanked them profusely for their love, care and guidance. Their farewell speeches, greeted by a standing ovation from the packed auditorium, were the epitome of their excellence in both the academic and co-curricular activities.
Syed Masood Ahmed, principal of the school, told Saudi Gazette that teamwork and dedication of IISJ staff enabled the students to score this remarkable feat. “We are keen to create the best sort of environment that obviously helps children to develop their talent and skills to the maximum despite a number of limitations and constraints. We make them available of youth leadership programs including debate clubs,” he said while hinting that more personality development programs are in the pipeline.
Head Boy Mohammed Maniyar, Head Girl Sumaiya Fatima, Taha Ameen, literary secretary for boys, and Khadija Haris Koya, literary secretary for girls, captivated the audience with their superb oratory skills.
After becoming exemplary models to about 13,000 schoolmates in many respects, they reminded their fellow schoolmates that it is in this very institution that they have learned to spread their wings and soar high in the sky of excellence. While thanking their parents and teachers for their support in scaling heights of excellence, they reminded their fellow mates about the real challenges they have to face in the real world outside the campus.
In his speech Maniyar thanked all those who stood behind him to achieve excellence in curricular and co-curricular activities. “I'd like to thank all the teachers, right from LKG till grade 12 from the bottom of my heart for having taught us not only the ABC and the 123, but also what life is all about; For having guided us through different phases of our lives; For having encouraged us to do wonders; For having scolded us whenever we made a mistake; For having loved us when we needed somebody the most. And most importantly, for making us better human beings.”
Son of Dr. Iqbal Maniyar, oncology specialist at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, and Ismat Maniyar, a speech therapist, Maniyar prefers to choose the same profession of father. He bagged 15 medals after taking part in 9 cluster meets. Maniyar represented IISJ for three consecutive years at the cluster meet level debate competitions and was crowned the best speaker.
Apart from being vice captain of the IISJ cricket team, he has won three merits for academic performance. He also cherishes an ambition of becoming a future political leader with a mission to cleanse politics and take part in the nation building process.
In her speech, Sumaiya said her aim in life is to give back to the community the very best she could by being an active social worker and to accomplish her dream of being an accountant.
“I wanted to raise awareness in the most depressing issues concerning our world today. I tried my level best to encourage people to speak up on such issues like the injustices in Gaza and the horrific carnage at Peshawar school.”
Mirza Samiullah Baig and Zareena Sami are parents of Sumaiya, who hails from Hyderabad. She has won certificates and medals in speech and debate contests. The charismatic girl enacted Meera Kumar, former Indian parliament speaker, at IISJ Youth Parliament in 2012, in addition to winning honorable mention at Dar Al Hekma college debate contest.
In his speech, Taha Ameen-ur-Rahman drew attention to the drawbacks of the current education system that relies heavily on imparting knowledge and not applying knowledge in the real life. Citing several examples, Rahman underscored the need to give thrust on practical learning than theoretical one. “Application of knowledge after proper understanding of the potential and talent of each student is important. We need to expand our horizons in this shrinking world, and only when we realize our worth and potential will we be truly inspired to face the challenges ahead,” Taha said in a thought-provoking speech.
Rahman, who was the first topper in Gulf Sahodaya in 2014, has won proficiency award for 12 consecutive years at IISJ. Winner of second best speaker Kingdomwide in the Toastmasters' International Division Conference, he bagged several awards in various competitions. Son of Khaja Ameenuddin and Maimuna Sultana from Hyderabad, Rahman wants to become a doctor.
Khadeeja Haris, in her speech, advised her fellow mates. “Do everything and anything that gives you inner peace and brings happiness to the people around you.”
She wants a world with people enjoying peaceful coexistence and where there are no wars and trauma. She also underscored that career success is based on giving back something to the family.” Daughter of Haris Koya and Ulfath from Kozhikode, Khadeeja wants to join Institute of Management Studies, Indore, for higher studies.
