EP Toastmasters celebrate Al-Qahtani’s global feat

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s world champion public speaker was honored at a ceremony in Alkhobar recently for his achievements, including his determination to overcome a speech impediment.

Mohammed Al-Qahtani from North Park Toastmasters Club of Saudi Aramco recently won the World Champion of Public Speaking competition held in Las Vegas. His speech was entitled, “The Power of Words.” There were 95 participants from 95 Districts of Toastmasters, comprising 15,400 clubs from 135 countries.
The ceremony to honor him was organized by District 79 members of Toastmasters in Saudi Arabia at Saudi Aramco’s Plaza Conference Center in Dhahran. Chief Ambassador of District Revitalized Educational Program Syed Waheed Lateef hosted the program.
District Director Distinguish Toastmaster Abdullah Al-Sharief said Al-Qahtani was the pride of the Toastmasters community and the country. “This milestone accomplishment proves that investment in human capital is the right investment when we focus on developing personal and professional skills,” he said.
Al-Qahtani said that he was impressed with the speech delivered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman during his recent visit to the United States. “It was one of the most beautiful speeches I have ever heard delivered by a leader, and a catalyst for the continued development of the Toastmasters in the Kingdom.”
Al-Qahtani said he attended high school in Abha and then joined Saudi Aramco, which sent him to the United States, where he was able to meet people of different cultures.
He said his successive losses in the Toastmasters championships in the Kingdom since 2009 did not discourage him, but only served to make him more determined to learn from his mistakes. He said he joined the club because he wanted to overcome his stuttering.
In a question and answer session with the audience, he said that he started speaking at the age of six, but could not remember his first word. He said that he believes in the power of words. “Yes, as I said in my speech, words are power, and my favorite word is ‘possible.’ To me it has great power.”
He had no idea he would win the title. “Honestly I had no clue or expectation of becoming the world champion. Backstage I was busy texting my wife, asking what I should bring her from Las Vegas.”
In response to a question, Al-Qahtani said that he does not want to be remembered for being a world champion. “Fifteen years down the line, if one person comes to me and says, ‘Mohammed, I loved your speech, it changed my life,’ that will be the biggest achievement for me.”
Al-Qahtani said that his message to the youth of Saudi Arabia is to face up to the biggest fears in their lives. If they do this, nothing would come between them and their dreams, he said.
He said the main reason for competing since 2012 has not been about winning awards “because you can always buy a trophy,” but about the message a person wants to convey. “Your message, and how you engage and entertain is what matters the most to me.”
He said he was grateful for the support of family and friends. “Yes, I received most valuable evaluations from different clubs in Dammam, Jubail and from my mentors and friends. I am so thankful to them.”