PhD Degree Awarded to Ms. Ahlam Abdullah Mohammed

Ms. Ahlam Abdullah Mohammed Al-Ajami was awarded a PhD degree for her dissertation titled: Persuasive Techniques in the Speeches of Hassan Nasrallah and Abdulmalik Al-Houthi (2017–2022): A Descriptive and Comparative Study, which was submitted to the Department of Arabic Studies, Faculty of Education – Sana’a University. The dissertation defense was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

The PhD Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

#	Committee Members	Designation	Position
1	Prof. Ahmed Ezzi Saghir Ahmed Shawsh	External Examiner	Chair
2	Assoc. Prof. Taher Musad Saleh Al-Jaloub	Main Supervisor	Member
3	Assoc. Prof. Abdu Mohammed Saleh Al-Hakimi ‎	Internal Examiner	Member

The dissertation aimed to:

Analyze the prose speeches of Hassan Nasrallah and Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, with ‎a focus on diverse persuasive techniques, including those appealing to reason and ‎ ‎
Examine the role of realistic, quasi-logical, and rhetorical techniques, particularly ‎those inspired by the Holy Qur’an, in achieving influence over the audience.‎

The study yielded several key findings summarized as follows:

The success of discourse depends on the integration of linguistic, rhetorical, and ‎argumentative structures.‎
Combining rational and emotional appeals enhances the effectiveness of persuasion.‎
The use of simple, audience-oriented language contributes to the delivery of the ‎message across different social groups without compromising rhetorical and ‎semantic depth.‎

In light of these findings, the researcher recommended the following:

Benefiting from these persuasive strategies in media and rhetorical training.‎
Employing the study’s findings in academic and scientific research.‎
Developing training programs for speakers and preachers to strengthen persuasive ‎and influential communication skills.‎

The dissertation defense was attended by a number of academics, researchers, and specialists, students, colleagues, and the researcher’s family.