RIYADH, 27 June 2005 — Bangladeshi Ambassador Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Ikramul Haque has observed that Toastmaster clubs render yeoman services in developing communication skills that eventually help the members to become leaders in the community. He made the remarks while speaking at the 17th Annual Day of the Riyadh Toastmasters (RTM) at Riyadh Palace Hotel on Friday.
Describing RTM as “makers of leaders,” Ambassador Haque said that some are born leaders and others acquire leadership through hard work.
He stressed that the art of public speaking was an important skill needed to attain leadership. “It is being developed by the toastmasters clubs,” he said.
“RTM has set an example to be emulated by others because of its outstanding services,” Haque said, announcing that he would soon initiate a plan to form a club among the members of his community.
He pointed out that the Bangladeshi community would make use of the expertise of Syed Abu Zafar, a senior member of the community and immediate past president of RTM, to promote this initiative. The proposed club will be sponsored by RTM.
Saudi broadcaster and journalist Lubna Hussain who was a special guest said that Islam had given due rights to women before others had thought of them.
“It gives equal rights to women over men. Their rights and privileges ... are clearly enshrined in the faith.”
She said that the Prophet Muhammad’s wife Khadija was a successful businesswoman.
Lubna said that Capt. Hanadi Zakariya Hindi, the first Saudi woman pilot, had shown the world that Muslim women can be dynamic.
“Maybe in this part of the world there won’t be any women leaders, but behind every successful man, there is a woman showing him the right path,” she added.
Lubna said that she was pleased to see women actively participating in developing their leadership skills at the RTM.
The celebration was marked by the release of a souvenir message from Advanced Toastmasters’ senior officials and a brief report on its activities.
For the second consecutive year, the club conducted a Youth Leadership Training Program for those in the age group of 10 to 18.
The president of the RTM, Aftab M. Khan, pointed out that for the sixth time in succession his club had been awarded the President’s Distinguished Club Award, the highest award from Toastmasters International.
“In pursuit of achieving perfection we should see that we do not lose touch with our surroundings. We also should not ignore the people who have just started their journey toward perfection,” said past governor Janaki Prasad Pattanaik.
The office-bearers for the year 2005-06 were installed by Area I Governor Hasan Maghazel.
Masters of Ceremony were Ali Faqih and Sankaran Iyer while Soni Thomas conducted Table Topic session — a practice for impromptu speechmaking.
