By Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi
The Arabic name Shurooq means sunrise. It signifies optimism, hope and brightness. It reveals energy, activeness and passion to excel and unleash ones true potential.
MTM Shurooq AlBanna, a member of Lagoon Toastmasters in Dubai Division J is a graduate of Genetics and Forensic Science from the University of London and carries a Masters in Strategic Marketing from the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
Currently, she handles the marketing for the Noor Dubai Foundation, a charity focused on the prevention of blindness globally. In her free time, Shurooq is an avid supporter of charitable work in the UAE and is one of the 8 individuals who were appreciated by the ruler of Dubai in 2009 for their work in this noble cause. She also manages the annual successful charity ART exhibition and auction where all proceeds go to the prevention of blindness and its treatment in poor countries.
She speaks Arabic, English and French fluently and GCSE level Spanish. She is crazy about books to an extent that she takes care of her book collection better than her jewelry.
This passionate and rib tickling humorist came to Toastmasters’ limelight when she became the 1st place winner of DTAC 2012 in Bahrain in the humorous contest and went home rejoicing her triumph.
Her passion to speak and inspire did not fade away. In her impressive and captivating speech “Uno Momento” at DTAC 2013 she portrayed biographical sketches of ordinary moments in her life and her conviction and enthusiasm injected pulse and turned them to an extraordinary moral values. The DTAC 2013, first place winning speech was a turning point in her life. It was her ticket to join the wagon of the elites as a contestant in the World Championship of Public Speaking 2013 that took place in Cincinnati, Ohio last August.The magic of her exuberant performance shook her audience and made them reflect in search of their own moments. She shared with them, that she is daddy’s girl, fun to be around, rebellious at time, humane at heart and above all a women with a true mission.
The District PRO team approached this born to shine star and invited her to share her experience with her fellow toastmasters across the seven countries that makes the beautiful rainbow of district 20. She wholeheartedly welcomed the initiative and took it as a golden opportunity to extend her gratitude and thanks for her fellow toastmasters’ undeterred support and sincere wishes.
Spot light, a segment of our district innovative website takes pride to celebrate the triumph of the daughter of lagoon, the pearl of District 20, born to shine Shurooq. Our conversation with her proceeded in the following lines:
Where you a public speaker before joining Toastmasters kindly elaborate?
Yes. As a child I had an opportunity to be a presenter on a children’s TV show called Zuhoor AlGhad. I was 10 years old back then and until this day I remember the first words I uttered on TV: It is Shurooq Albana, I am happy to meet you and wish that a iw ill be up to your expectations. Besides, I used to MC in medical conferences since 2007 as part of my job.
When did you join Toastmasters and why?
I was destined to delve in the door steps of this reassuring heaven three years ago. Resorting to Toastmaster was a remedy to come to terms with my impromptu speaking and develop the skills that will make me face any unexpected scenario no matter where, who was there and how difficult the case in hand is. I seriously wanted to stop those nervous shakes, butterflies on stage. There were also some embarrassing occasions where I froze and forgot my words in a public event in front of VIPs and I decided I needed to do something about this. My feet lead me to the gate of lagoon Toastmasters through the persuasiveness of my friend and sister Wafa and ever since my toastmasters family got wider and wider a matter which filled my heart with joy and ripple of laughter.
You emerged as a champion in the humorous contest in DTAC Bahrain 2011-2012, tell us about your experience as a humorist?
Mark Twain described humor as human kind best blessings. It is an attitude with which one tackles his or her challenges and comes out contended and victorious. After all, laughter is a true medicine. In my case my friends pinpointed at the need for me to try humorous speeches and take my talent in this area to greater heights. They loved my sarcastic take on things. Sure enough I walked the talk and represented my division in DTAC 2012 Bahrain. It was a confidence-boosting experience. I loved it. I believe I made all the women in District 20 proud when I beat the men in their own humorous game.
As you have highlighted above, Mark Twain said Humor is mankind's greatest blessing why is it so? And how do you align your humor to suit an audience from different cultures?
Humor has a mesmerizing impact in uplifting defeated spirits and inspiring people to face the issue in hand in sarcastic yet realistic manner.
The Middle East is one culture and all the different nationalities and religions residing here have adopted a coherent living where they share similar values, morals and thinking. This is why it was easy for me to find a middle ground and please the audience with my humor.
Tell us how do you pick the ideas of your speeches? And how do you go about preparing and rehearsing your speeches?
I randomly choose my topics, I have no distinct way of doing so. Occasionally I go through my diary to find inspiration and incidences of substance. My speeches come out different simply because I try to tackle the topics from a different perspective, an Emarati female one. Once the draft is ready then practicing is the gate to perfection and at this stage I really raise the bar and never become soft on myself focusing that my emotions come out raw every single time I deliver a speech. I set a goal of showcasing myself in the best level possible. As I dislike competing with others, I insist on challenging myself, and competing with my yesterday’s self and put the best effort. As Zig Ziglar, a renowned motivational speaker said “Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is”.
They say when the student is ready the teacher will emerge in your case the role of a mentor and a coach made a great difference do you agree with that? And how?
I believe that everything is written. The right people will come into your life to guide you, help you, influence you and you will never be the same afterwards. Many successful speakers make it to the top without a mentor. Some need a mentor others don't, it is a personal choice.
Perhaps one can argue that the ability to make extraordinary out of the ordinary is one of your strength particularly that most of your speeches are sprinkled with your own stories or rather biographical what makes you take this direction?
It is an excellent observation TM Saleh. What you pointed out is simply my personal style. It worked for me in addition to other factors but may not work for anybody else. What many lack is their own personal style and I believe speakers should invest their time and effort in bringing out their unique qualities and abilities instead of copying others. This gives me the ability to speak from the heart and provide the leverage of speaking with authority on the subject and connect with my audience who find themselves comparing & contrasting to take home the desired outcomes.
Uno Momento was a very condensed speech full of emotions, enthusiasm and undeterred conviction what was the moral message behind it? and what techniques did you use to make the audience glued to your speech and ultimately win the championship at DTAC-2013 ?
Uno Momento was a very condensed speech full of emotions, enthusiasm and undeterred conviction what was the moral message behind it? and what techniques did you use to make the audience glued to your speech and ultimately win the championship at DTAC-2013 ?
In a nutshell, I was simply myself. I went on that stage and spoke as Shurooq. I spoke from my heart. I narrated incidents from my personal diary and injected pulse in them to drive my message through. While I was delivering my speech, I knew I did well when I noticed all eyes and ears were focused on me and the audience was hungry for more. Practice, conviction and enthusiasm about your message and how to package it for your audience will always do wonders trust me.
Wow Shurooq is heading to the World Championship of Public Speaking August 2013 Cincinnati, Ohio, USA as a representative of District 20 how did that feel? Tell us about your apprehensions, fearful moments and what has ultimately motivated you to walk the Talk?
I was very happy about winning but fearful as I was carrying a huge responsibility. Alhamdilla Allah blessed my final journey with two individuals: Wafa and Bader who held my hand through the frightful final days. And on that final stage behind the curtains, I made a special prayer to Allah that I make everyone in District 20 proud and I do not go back empty handed. Alhamdulilah my prayer was answered and the subsequent joy was beyond description. The tears of joy in my father’s eyes and the shakiness in my mother’s voice were a testimony of pride.
Tell us about your experience as a contestant in the World Championship of Public Speaking? And how does it feel to be a role model for speakers from the Arab World and District 20 at large? And what made “Finding the Pearl “ a winning speech from your perspective? and how did your family members and friends responded to such a marvelous news?
The fact that I have been bestowed upon with this honor made my happiness beyond description. When I gave find the pearl, my key message to the world was to believe that there is goodness in everyone and the audience identified with the Arab woman giving that speech especially with the common misconceptions some had of me. Afterwards, I knew I hit a home run when toastmasters from different ethnic backgrounds stepped up to me and shared their personal stories identifying with my theme. This made me even more proud of my choice.
I wish there was a way that I can personally thank every single toastmaster in District 20 from Oman Bahrain UAE Qatar Lebanon Jordan and Kuwait for their well wishes and undeterred support and shake hands with them. They all made me feel that I am part of an extended family that cares about me. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation thanks a million fellow toastmasters being part of district 20 has a rewarding taste with you around.
As a tangible testimony of the positive impact of Toastmasters what do you want to tell others about this nourishing and nurturing organization? And how did it impact your personal and professional life so far?
Being a toastmaster is a life-long relationship which one can take at their own pace. I always encourage other members to make sure they have benefited from each project before they move on to the next one. Why the rush? Yes it is learning by doing but as Dr. Ralph C .Smedley said “We learn best in moments of enjoyment.”
Did your Mega-winning in the USA introduce any changes in your life?
On a personal level, I have become more hopeful about achieving goals that I once deemed impossible. If you put your mind to it and remain focused and dedicated, you will end up even surprising yourself. This winning also taught me a little about the priorities in my life.
Extended family that cares about me. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation thanks a million fellow toastmasters being part of district 20 has a rewarding taste with you around.
An inspirational message you want to conclude with?
Never compare yourself to others, just focus on yourself and become the best version of YOU. This is my life motto, I strive to become better than I was yesterday.
