Another proud achievement came from a student of Thursina IIBS. This time, Almahyra Adifa Azzahra, a seventh-grade student, won third place in the National Young Preacher Competition at the 8th Darul Fikri Islamic Festival held by Darul Fikri Islamic Boarding School, Sidoarjo.
The event had met talented young preachers from various regions in Indonesia, making it a prestigious competition in the fields of Islamic preaching and public speaking.
Ustazah Nurul Fadhila, S.Pd., the accompanying murabbiyah, said, Mahyra's preparation was quite intense. The preliminary round involved approximately two and half weeks of practice.
"The final round was a bit challenging because it was cut short by the holiday. During the break, Mahyra practiced online twice, then upon arriving in Thursina, she practiced intensively for four to five days," explained Ustazah Nurul.
"The training pattern emphasizes improvisation of lectures, intonation, gestures, and mastering of religious material so that Mahyra performs excellently when delivering her sermons," she added.
The accomplishment is even more special since it was her first da'i competition as she studies in Thursina IIBS. Nonetheless, Mahyra showed courage, confidence, and Islamic communication skills on the national stage.
"Mahyra is a new student in grade 7, and this is her first time participating in a preacher competition," said Ustazah Nurul.
For her, success is not merely the result of practice, but also the outcome of manners and sincerity. She is delighted by Zahra's achievement.
"Alhamdulillah, I'm very grateful. It is more about the enthusiasm of students for training and dedication. And Mahyra is one of those who are compliant during the coaching. That's the key; she does what is suggested for her," she said proudly.
Mahyra's performance in the final was praised for her touching, coherent delivery and calm demeanor. Her preaching style emphasized a balance in religious knowledge, rhetorical techniques, and sincerity, essential values for preaching among today's youth. Not only did she perform confidently before the panel of judges and other participants, but she was also capable of delivering a relevant and understandable message to her peer audience.
Furthermore, Ustazah Nurul revealed her hope that the achievement would be the first step for Zahra in the world of preaching.
"Stay motivated and always remain humble. May this be a path to be a better person and advantageous to the community," she advised. (iz/lil)
