New Talents Shine as IIUM Achieves Remarkable Success at AFKAR Arabic Debate Competition 2025

Tournaments

The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) proudly celebrates another milestone in its Arabic debating journey with a strong performance at the AFKAR Arabic Debate Competition 2025, organized by the Elkaffah Centre from Indonesia. This year’s participation marked a significant step forward for the university, as newly recruited debaters took to the stage, guided by the wisdom and experience of their senior teammates.

The strategic decision to feature new debaters alongside experienced ones was aimed at providing early exposure to the intensity, format, and standards of competitive Arabic debating. This mentorship approach allowed the fresh talents to not only gain firsthand experience in a prestigious tournament but also to develop their skills in real-time under the guidance of seasoned debaters.

A Clean Sweep to the Quarter-Finals

IIUM’s participation this year was remarkable for another reason — the university sent three competitive teams, and all three broke into the Quarter-Finals stage. This is a rare feat that highlights the depth of IIUM’s debating talent and the effectiveness of its preparation system.

The results were as follows:

  • IIUM [A] – Quarter-Finalists | Ranked 6th Overall
  • IIUM [B] – Semi-Finalists | Ranked 3rd Overall
  • IIUM [C] – Quarter-Finalists | Ranked 5th Overall

These achievements secured IIUM the title of 2nd Best Institution Overall, reinforcing its reputation as a powerhouse in the Malaysian Arabic debating scene.

Beyond Trophies: Building the Next Generation of Debaters

The AFKAR Arabic Debate Competition 2025 was not just a contest of arguments, but also a training ground for IIUM’s next generation of debaters. Through their active involvement, the new members experienced the full spectrum of tournament life, from intensive case preparation and high-pressure rounds to the camaraderie and sportsmanship that define the debating community.

Senior debaters played a vital role as both teammates and mentors, ensuring that the newcomers were supported at every stage. This experience is expected to lay a solid foundation for future tournaments, as the club continues its mission of sustaining excellence while nurturing emerging talent.

Looking Ahead

The strong performance at AFKAR 2025 serves as both a proud achievement and a motivating force for the IIUM Arabic Debating and Public Speaking Club. With its blend of experienced leaders and promising new talents, the club is poised to achieve even greater heights in the months and years ahead, in shaa Allah.

IIUM congratulates all participants for their resilience, teamwork, and commitment to excellence. May their success inspire future cohorts to embrace the art of debate as a means of learning, growth, and service to the community.

A Celebration of Excellence: 22nd Interschool Debating Championship Concluded Successfully

Events, , , ,

The 22nd Interschool Debating Championship (IDC) reached its successful conclusion with the physical Outrounds hosted at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Gombak campus from 19th to 21st July 2025. This championship continues to serve as a premier platform for secondary school students to engage in intellectual discourse, showcase their critical thinking abilities, and cultivate meaningful dialogue across linguistic and cultural lines.

The Interschool Debating Championship is organized in two main phases: the Preliminary Rounds and the Outrounds. The Preliminary Rounds were conducted virtually, allowing widespread participation from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries. Following this, the Outrounds were conducted physically at IIUM Gombak, bringing together the highest-ranking teams from each category for the final leg of the tournament. From the total number of participants, 16 teams from the Malay category, 32 teams from the English category, and 16 teams from the Arabic category qualified to compete in the Outrounds.

The championship received overwhelming participation, with a total of 195 teams competing across three language categories. The Bahasa Melayu category saw 45 teams competing, while the English category featured 99 teams, and the Arabic category included 51 teams. The Arabic category was particularly distinguished by its international participation, as schools from Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei joined the tournament. This reflects the growing regional reach and influence of the Interschool Debating Championship.

The Outrounds witnessed high-calibre debates across all categories. Emerging as champions were Sekolah Menengah Sains Rembau in the Malay category, Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah A in the English category, and Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah B in the Arabic category. Their victories are a testament to their dedication, preparation, and the strength of their teams’ argumentative and rhetorical skills.

The success of this event would not have been possible without the combined efforts of many. IIUM World Debate and Oratory Centre extends its heartfelt appreciation to all participating schools and debaters, adjudicators, teachers, and chaperones for their unwavering commitment. Special thanks are also due to the organizing committees and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the championship.

The 22nd IDC marks yet another milestone in fostering a culture of debate and dialogue among the youth. It is hoped that this experience will inspire all participants to continue refining their skills and contributing meaningfully to discourse in their respective communities.