Valedictorian Muhammad Shah Danial Daud recites heartwarming ‘pantun’ for his parents at the 40th IIUM Convocation

By, Shaheerah Dzaki

GOMBAK, 15 December 2024: A tear jerking moment filled the hall as Muhammad Shah Danial Daud, the valedictorian of the fifth session in the 40th IIUM Convocation Ceremony on 18 November at IIUM Gombak, shared a ‘pantun’ (form of poetry in Malay language) as homage to his parents. Muhammad Shah Danial Daud graduated from Kulliyyah of Education, majoring in Guidance and Counselling and was awarded with the Best Student Award (Academic).

The ‘pantun’ went as follows:

Hutan indah terdengar meriah,

Setiap detik unggas bersahut,

Segulung ijazah mungkinlah ijazah

Bandingnya setitik budimu selaut.

For non-Malay speakers, the ‘pantun’ describes the feeling of overwhelming gratitude towards one’s parents. As the ‘pantun’ described, a degree could not compare to an ocean of the parents’ grace.

Muhammad Shah Danial Daud started his valedictorian speech by reminiscing the hardships he and the fellow graduates had to face during their studies. 

“It is hard not to reflect on how far we have come and the journey that brought us here. Each of us has faced countless challenges, late night studying. Moments of doubt, times of wondering if we would make it. And yet, we did,” he remarked.

In his inspiring speech, Muhammad Shah Danial Daud also reflected on the journey of the graduates at the start of their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new norm was one of the hurdles they had to face. After the pandemic, the transition period from online class to face-to-face class on campus that was also a shocking experience to them.

“Now, as we graduate, we face another transition to an uncertain future,” he remarked.

Furthermore, BMuhammad Shah Danial Daud shared a dua from Surah Al-Ghafir verse 44: “and I entrust my affair to Allāh.” He added that this verse from the Quran reminds him that no one is alone in their struggles. 

“Be proud of how far you have come. Embrace the future with open arms. Make a difference and never settle for anything less than your best,” he noted with full determination and hopefulness to his fellow graduates.

During his speech, Muhammad Shah also expressed gratitude to his lecturers, Student Affairs and Development Division (STADD) office IIUM and also his fellow peers.

Last but not least, the valedictorian emphasised that nothing will go wrong if everyone emulates Prophet Muhammad PBUH and truly adheres to the Holy Quran and the Sunnah in each endeavour to maintain sustainability, peace and commendable ethical practises.***