By Wafa Awla
Before stepping into the room, rain heartily fell slowly from the peaceful skies. Proud, anxious, excited assemble in the middle of the heart like mixing colours merge with harmony on a fabric. The room came alive with smiles sketched in the faces of the champion of The Harun M. Hashim National Client Consultation Competition this year.
They are Khairunnajihah Aqila Mohd Sofian, Siti Naquiah Mohd Jamel, Mohd Azrizat bin Hamzi, and Nurul Nabila Mohd Adnan. Their dreams to be the winner are no longer a fantasy when they, with excellent and lighter in each step, busted the team from the University of Malaya in the final round.
œIt is so unexpected because all of us are still new. Throughout the competition we never only rely on our strength. We totally rely on Allah. We just only try our best, said Azrizat, a third year student of the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL).
This Client Consultation Competition is actually quite tough since the client comes with different emotion and there are various problems that they have to deal with. Because of that, for the preparations, they sacrifice a lot of things. While others are happy asking mom to cook for them during the break or having a great time with the family, these future lawyer set up for doing something more such as remembering facts, sharpening their legal skills and having training again and again until night. For them this competition is not just the battle of intellect but more than that.
œIt is not comparing you with others. It is me, myself, who want to see how far I can go. Because I went through so many stages before it took me here, Naquiah told us sincerely with her dim eyes expressing feelings with words unsaid.
œPreviously, I have never joined any society. Nobody notice me. Im like invisible. But, I decided to join this competition. It’s really boost my self-confidence. Speaking in soft voice, wearing the purple veil, Khairunnajihah shared her stories after winning the special award for the best council.
œIt teaches me how to handle academic, training and emotional breakdown as well, said Nabila with great laughter, who is also an IIUM debater.
œEverybody has his or her own strength. We just have to step out from our comfort zone and try something new, added Naquiah while others nodded in unison.
Representing Malaysia for Brown Mosten International Client Consultation Competition in Nebraska, USA, this April is actually a step for them to be good lawyers. As time goes by, who knows these four future lawyers would be the best lawyers with their names published in the newspapers all over the world. ***
Photo taken by Shazni Ong