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2009
Tips for Effective Presentations
Muslim Speakers
A GainPeace.com
Presentation
 An Outreach Project of Islamic Circle of North America
 
2
Introduction
Alhamdulillah, as the need for Muslim presenters grows, due to the increase interest in Islam by the generalpublic, we as Muslims need to better equip ourselves to make our presentations effective and our messageeloquent and receptive to our audience.We need to remind ourselves that when we are speaking about Islam; our audience will judge Islam by ourconduct. Therefore, the Muslim presenter is not only representing themselves as a Muslim, but also the religionof Islam and other Muslims. We hope and pray that the practical tips presented below would be of benefit toyou and will assist you to properly share the message of Islam and clear up common misconceptions.
Before the Presentation
1.
 
Obtain details about the topic, venue, time, audience
s’
age, and number. This will assist you in mentallypreparing yourself. Also, if you need special arrangement like a microphone, extra chairs, morehandouts, etc, can be accommodated easily when the above details are known.2.
 
Forward your biography to the host
. Print out and carry one with you in case the host doesn’t have this
handy on the day of presentation.3.
 
Make sure that the following are arranged for the presenter:a.
 
Microphoneb.
 
Podiumc.
 
Power Point projector
 –
try to buy one and take one with you if you are a seasoned presenter.d.
 
White screen (white wall may do when screen is not available).4.
 
Prepare a presentation based on the above details5.
 
Understand the demographics of your audience, a presentation given to 5
th
graders will be differentthan the one to college students.6.
 
Contemplate on the possible questions the audience may inquire, then respectively prepare theanswers.7.
 
Memorize references to be mentioned during the presentation.8.
 
Practice several times, alone and in front of others. Be sure to both critique yourself, and obtain your
practice audience’s critique
.a.
 
Br. Khalid Yasin, a well known orator, writes down his entire speech and practices it severaltimes.b.
 
Dr. Zakir Naik, writes down or dictates his entire presentation, word for word, on a paper.9.
 
Video record your presentation if possible and allowed.i.
 
Video recording is also beneficial to review and enhance your presentation.ii.
 
This is important in case of a dispute or misunderstandingiii.
 
If the quality came out good, then hosting it on the YouTube may benefit a largeraudience.10.
 
Audio record all presentations. Small digital recorder goes in your pocket and again will be gooddocumentation for future reference and benefit to others. Newer laptops also have the capability of audio and video recording.
 
3
11.
 
Avoid shaking hands with people of opposite gender and politely mention that ‘my relig
ion discourages
me from doing so’.
When asked why, then explain the concept of modesty in Islam. Be sure to stayprofessional as you are representing the Muslim Ummah.12.
 
Prepare handouts:a.
 
Outline of the presentation with references, resources (website, books, CDs, DVDs) and contactinformation.13.
 
Information booth. When allowed, request for and host a dawah booth consisting of brochures, oneminute cards, translations of the Quran and other items as needed.14.
 
Request a M
uslim to moderate the lecture. Moderator’s
job is to do crowd control, especially during Q and A, so discussion stays on topics.15.
 
Practice exercising your mouth. Do this, it really helps to loosen up any tension and makes your facemore relaxed and natural and not rigid and monotonous.16.
 
Try to inculcate the following characteristics:
Characteristics of a Presenter
1.
 
Pray for success before the presentationa.
 
“
(Moses) said: My Lord! Relieve my mind, And ease my task for me, And remove theimpediment from my speech, So they may understand what I say
”.
(Quran 20.24-28)2.
 
Pure Intentionsa.
 
We are doing this solely to please Allah (swt), not for name, fame, pride etc. ‘
Verily, my Salât(prayer), my
sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah…’ (Quran 6.162)
.b.
 
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a
person will get the reward according to his intention.’… (Bukhari)
 3.
 
Be Milda.
 
Your audience may use harsh words and unfair criticism of Islam and Muslims. Try to maintainyour composure and be mild. You can win a debate, but purpose is to win hearts. Even ProphetMusa (as) was commanded by Allah (swt) to be mild in his speech when interacting withPharoah, the
tyrant of his time: ‘"And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition
or fear Allah." (Quran 20.44)4.
 
Patiencea.
 
At time the audience may not be able to comprehend the point or concept you are trying toshare. Repeat it, reword it, provide examples, analogies,
but don’t lose temper,
or appearfrustrated, maintain composure. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, 
"…whosoever would be
patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and morecomprehensive than patience".(Bukhari)5.
 
Friendlya.
 
Be friendly and relaxed. Have a smile on your face. First impressions count and people judgeothers by appearance. Abdullah ibn Haarith, radi Allahu 'anhu, said,"I have never seen anyonewho smiled more than Allah's Messenger."(Tirmidhi)b.
 
Br. Shabir Ally, a presenter and debater from Canada, is a good example of maintaining a smilingand friendly composure about himself.6.
 
Health
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