The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has underscored the vital importance of fostering eloquence and fluency in children as a cornerstone of character development.

Speaking as the guest of honor at the inauguration of the 39th National Oratory Competition, Dr. Shaheem highlighted the spiritual and historical significance of effective communication. He noted that according to Islamic tradition, every Prophet was endowed with the ability to communicate fluently in the language of their people. Specifically, he referenced the Quranic narrative of Prophet Musa (AS), who requested the assistance of his brother Harun (AS) due to the latter’s superior oratorical skills, illustrating how eloquence can facilitate major achievements.

The Minister also pointed out that the first five verses of the Holy Quran command the act of reading, which serves as a powerful testament to the importance of literacy and verbal expression. To become an accomplished orator, Dr. Shaheem advised students to focus on four essential pillars: extensive reading, listening to master speakers, memorization, and consistent practice.

Concluding his address, Dr. Shaheem announced that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs will, starting this year, introduce special awards for the National Oratory Competition to further incentivize and reward the development of communication skills among the youth.