Full Text of the Valedictorian Speech at the PEACE Magazine Honour Rolls Ceremony, Miss Oha Ijeoma Sylverlene Zainab

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ ونستغفره ,ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ,ومن سيئات أعمالنا ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ ,وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ ,وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ,وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu (Peace be upon you),

Distinguished guests, esteemed organizers, fellow awardees, and respected university representatives,

Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), it is both an honor and a privilege to stand here today, surrounded by my sisters, mothers, and fathers, representing the talented and resilient Muslim women being celebrated. As the Quran beautifully reminds us, in Suratul An-nahl verse 53

وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِۖ

“And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah” (Quran, 16:53).

Indeed, this gathering is a blessing. As we gather today, we’re reminded of Allah’s words in the Quran,

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ

“So remember me;I will remember you, And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me” (Quran, 2:152)

Therefore, I begin by thanking Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala for blessing us with life, health, and the opportunity to witness this joyous occasion. Next, I extend my sincere appreciation to the dedicated organizers of this event, who have worked tirelessly to bring us together. Your efforts have created a platform for us to unite, support one another, and celebrate our collective achievements. Events like this underscore the strength and resilience of our community. They demonstrate our unwavering commitment to uplifting and encouraging each other, inspiring us to strive for excellence and reach new heights.

Today is more than just a gathering; it’s a space to connect, share our stories, and build bonds that remind us we are never alone. As Muslim women, we proudly wear our hijabs as a symbol of faith, modesty, and identity. Allah says,

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَاۖ

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments…” (Quran, 24:31). But we often encounter the misconception that our veils might limit us. Here we stand, proving that these symbols are not barriers but reflections of strength, intellect, and ambition.

Each one of us has worked tirelessly, balancing academics, faith, family, and community responsibilities. Our achievements stand as a testament that faith and intellect are complementary, not contradictory. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah). This guidance is a source of strength for us, inspiring us to persevere in our pursuit of knowledge, despite the challenges we may face.

To my Muslim sisters around the world, let me remind you: learning and striving for excellence are part of our faith. Allah says in the Quran, وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا“And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge’” (Quran, 20:114). This verse encourages us to never stop seeking knowledge and bettering ourselves. We are also reminded in another verse, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” (Quran, 13:11). With every effort we make to learn, grow, and excel, we uplift not only ourselves but our communities and future generations.

To my fellow awardees, I salute you. Your perseverance, resilience, and dedication have earned you this recognition. During our time together, we’ve built connections that can blossom into lasting friendships, thanks to this invaluable platform. Seeing so many of my hijab sisters who have accomplished great things and are motivated to achieve even more fills me with pride and inspiration. You are symbols of strength, dedication, and a drive for greatness that goes beyond individual success. Together, we are paving the way for future generations, showing that staying true to our faith while excelling in academics, careers, and personal lives is not only possible but empowering.

We remember the words of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) who said, “He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah.” This reminds us that gratitude extends beyond our relationship with Allah to our relationships with one another. To this We say a very big thank you to our families, who nurtured our growth; our institutions, which supported our endeavors; and the role models who inspired us. To the organizers, jazakumullahu khairan (may Allah reward you with goodness) for bringing us together and for this chance to show society that a sister’s faith can be her strength—not a limitation.

As we go our separate ways, let’s keep these connections alive, continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and support each other. This is how we make an impact that goes beyond today. Congratulations to my fellow awardees, and may Allah continue to bless and guide us in all we do.

Edited by
Abdullahi Yusuf

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