ADC Pagoh Freshies Step onto International Stage at MIHRAB 2.0 Arabic Public Speaking Competition

By, Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim and Fatin Nadzirah binti Mohd Azhar

The UniSZA International Arabic Festival, MIHRAB 2.0, organised by the Qur’anic Language Society (IQRA’), returns for its second edition from 16 November to 18 December 2025, bringing together students from across Malaysia and international institutions. One of its key highlights is the International Arabic Public Speaking Competition, designed to celebrate the beauty and relevance of the Arabic language in contemporary academic discourse. Hosted by Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), the competition adopts a hybrid format, enabling participation from various regions both onsite and online.

In conjunction with this competition, IIUM Pagoh, through the Arabic Debate and Public Speaking Club (ADC) under IWON, proudly fielded seven freshies, who embraced the challenge of competing at the international level for the very first time. Their participation reflects the campus’s commitment to empowering new talents and strengthening Arabic communication skills among young learners.

This year’s ADC Pagoh representatives were: Br. Abdul Khafiez Bin Abdul Razzaq, Br. Ahmad Izhan Hadif Bin Nor Zahari, Sr. Nur Syazwani Binti Yazid, Br. Imran Hakimi Bin Sazali, Sr. Nur Minhalina Binti Hamid, Sr. Nurul Syazmira Binti Mohd Basir Khan and Sr. Nursyuhada Binti Omar.

Although the team did not secure a win, their achievement extends far beyond rankings. Each participant demonstrated remarkable courage, stepping out of their comfort zone to compete alongside experienced orators from various universities. Their willingness to learn, adapt, and perform under pressure reflects the growing confidence and potential of ADC Pagoh’s emerging Arabic-speaking community.

MIHRAB 2.0 continues to serve as an inspiring platform that nurtures cross-cultural understanding, linguistic excellence, and global academic connectivity. Through events like this, students gain not only oratorical experience but also meaningful exposure to international standards of Arabic rhetoric.

The participation of ADC Pagoh’s freshies marks an important milestone, signalling a promising new chapter for the campus’s Arabic oratory scene, one built on passion, resilience, and the spirit to rise above comfort and embrace growth.***