By Athirah Mohammad
GOMBAK, 8 December 2022: Seeing a graduand’s valedictorian speech during the 33rd IIUM convocation “inspired” Muhammad Hanif and he could have never foreseen that one day his dream of giving his own valedictorian speech on stage would come true.
Muhammad Hanif bin Naim from the Kulliyyah of Languages and Management, majored in Arabic for International Communication, uttered this in his valedictorian speech at the seventh session of the 38th IIUM Convocation Ceremony on Tuesday afternoon (6 December).
“On that day, I said to myself that I want to be on that stage and Alhamdulillah, I hold my dream of success and I work hard for it because I believe that hard work will never betray us.”
He believed that the achievement belongs to all of them and that their fight, struggles, and target can be rewarded as with hardship comes ease.
Muhammad Hanif asserted that we should always put our utmost trust in the Almighty Allah’s plan as there is always happiness after all challenges.
He further recited a translation from Surah At-Tawbah verse 51 to emphasise that nothing will ever befall us except what Allah has destined for us.
Representing the graduates, Muhammad Hanif expressed his utmost gratitude to their murabbi and lecturers for their advice and admonitions in paving the way for students to create a better life.
“I believe the success that we earned today cannot be done without our parent’s prayers, warm words, kind support, and endless sacrifices.
The speech ended with him congratulating his fellow friends who were also graduating and wished they would succeed in their new journey ahead.
“Always remember that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. So, good luck stars in the making.” ***