“A Speech Without Audience Engagement and Intellectual Depth Remains Ineffective”_ Suhail Masood
EC News Desk
4 January 2026
Mumbai: The Final Elocution Competition was held at Markazul Ma‘arif Education and Research Centre (MMERC), Mumbai on Sunday, 4 January 2026, with great decorum, academic dignity, and intellectual seriousness. Students delivered confident and passionate speeches on diverse, thought-provoking topics aligned with contemporary issues, demonstrating their oratory skills and intellectual maturity.
The programme was efficiently compered by Maulana Salman Alam Qasmi, who highlighted the foundation, vision, and objectives of MMERC, Mumbai. He stated that alumni of the institution are rendering academic, educational, and religious services across almost all major universities, colleges, and madrasas in India, as well as in dozens of countries around the world.
The programme commenced with a soulful recitation of the Glorious Qur’an by Qari Inamul Hasan Qasmi, followed by a melodious na‘at recited by Maulana Hasnain Rabbani, which filled the gathering with spiritual warmth and reverence.
The speech competition was conducted in two rounds. The elementary round was held on Saturday, in which thirty students participated. The round was divided into two groups, from which four students were selected from each group. Consequently, eight finalists qualified for the final round, where they showcased their eloquence and public-speaking excellence.
The panel of judges included Prof. Arif Ansari, Senior Lecturer at MMERC and former Professor at Sabu Siddiqi Engineering College; Mr. Suhail Masood, former Air India officer; and Mufti Taha Qasmi, a multilingual scholar and Imam and Dhanbadi Masjid, Bhindi Bazar, Mumbai.
The programme was presided over by Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala, Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, while Mr. Shams Tabrez Qasmi, Chief Editor of Millat Times, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The presence of Maulana Atiqur Rahman Qasmi, In-charge of MMERC and Mr. Jafar Bhai, Trustee of Markazul Ma‘arif Masjid, further encouraged and motivated the students.
After the speeches, the judges appreciated the students’ hard work, confidence, and intellectual clarity, offering valuable guidance. Mufti Taha Qasmi emphasized that speeches should always be delivered with thorough preparation and that speaking without preparation must be avoided. Mr. Suhail Masood, while praising the students’ performances, remarked:
“A speaker should focus not only on tone but also on sustaining audience engagement and ensuring intellectual depth in content; otherwise, a speech loses its impact.”
Addressing the students, Prof. Arif Ansari stated that while speeches may not be questioned in academic settings, real-life social work invites scrutiny. He advised students to critically question themselves from multiple perspectives while preparing speeches and to incorporate well-thought-out answers within their content.
The results were later announced, with Molvi Tousiqur Rahman securing first position, Molvi Qamarul Husain second position, and Molvi Muhammad Raees third position.
In his address, Chief Guest Mr. Shams Tabrez Qasmi reminded the students that as scholars equipped with an additional language, their responsibilities have increased—whether in the field of da‘wah, representation of madrasas, or dissemination of the message of Islam. He emphasized that the scope of their work has expanded, requiring continuous effort, confidence, vision, strategic planning, and practical experience, which he described as the true keys to success.
The programme concluded with a heartfelt supplication by the President, Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala. The successful organization of the event was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Maulana Aslam Javed Qasmi, Maulana Mohammad Taukir Rahmani, and their team.
