Full Text: Valedictory Speech by Memunat Olawore Omobolanle
Delivered at the 2nd Honour Roll Ceremony of PEACE Magazine, Abuja
Today, we gather not just to applaud brilliance, but to celebrate faith refined by intellect, modesty strengthened by excellence, and devotion shining through achievement. As I look around this hall, I see more than graduates, I see the future of our Ummah.
Each of you represents a story of perseverance: nights spent balancing study with salah, dreams pursued amidst doubt, and ambitions anchored in trust in Allah. You have proven that the veil is not a barrier to brilliance, nor is modesty an obstacle to success. You are living proofs that one can embrace deen and still dominate disciplines, from law to medicine, from engineering to art, from technology to the sciences.
PEACE Magazine, since 2002, has been a voice of light in a noisy world spreading the words of Allah in peace, and today, reaffirming that knowledge, when coupled with faith, becomes a form of worship.
To our honourees, let this moment remind you that excellence is a trust. Carry it with humility, use it to serve humanity, and let your intellect be a mirror that reflects the mercy of Allah wherever you go. To our leaders and sponsors, and every partner that made today possible, may Allah reward your commitment to empowering young Muslims to rise with dignity and distinction.
And to everyone present, remember that peace begins with us. When we build minds, we build nations. When we celebrate knowledge, we strengthen our faith. May Allah bless this gathering, honour our graduates, guide our youth, and keep us steadfast on the path of knowledge and peace.
Today, I will be speaking briefly on a theme that ties beautifully into everything this event represents “The Power of Community: Building a Future Rooted in Faith and Knowledge.”
A community is more than a group of people living in the same place. It is a bond, a shared heartbeat of faith, compassion, and purpose. It is where one person’s joy becomes everyone’s celebration, and one person’s pain becomes everyone’s concern.
In Islam, the idea of community is sacred. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The believers, in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion, are like one body. When one limb suffers, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” (Sahih Muslim)
This reminds us that we are not meant to exist in isolation. We rise when we lift others. We thrive when we build together. Community gives us identity, strength, and direction. It nurtures our values, supports our growth, and reminds us that knowledge without compassion is incomplete.
When a child grows up seeing graduates who wear their faith proudly and walk in integrity, they begin to believe that greatness and godliness can coexist. When professionals come together to mentor the young, support one another, and uplift the less privileged, society transforms.
A strong community means no one is left behind. It means the lawyer uses her skill for justice, the doctor for healing, the engineer for innovation, the teacher for enlightenment, and the leader for service. Each person’s excellence becomes a contribution to the collective good.
That is the power of community, when knowledge becomes service, and service becomes worship.
For over two decades, PEACE (As-Salaam) Magazine has been doing more than publishing pages; it has been building people. Since 2002, this platform has stood as a voice of peace, using media not for division, but for Da’wah, education and empowerment.
PEACE Magazine is showing the world that Muslim youth, especially those under the veil, are not hidden from greatness, they are guarded by purpose.
By honouring 23 Muslim graduates from diverse fields, this initiative says: Education is our empowerment, faith is our foundation, and peace is our mission.
To every honouree here today, remember this, community is your mirror and your responsibility. As you step into the world, do not walk alone. Build networks that heal, inspire, and guide. Use your knowledge to open doors for others. Let your success become someone else’s motivation.
Our world is filled with noise and division, but you — the educated Muslim youth — are the bridge. Be the voice of peace in your workplace. Be the light of faith in your profession. Be the example of integrity in your nation.
In closing, I pray that this gathering becomes more than a ceremony may it be a spark. A spark that ignites stronger communities, deeper faith, and lasting peace.
Because when we build communities rooted in faith and knowledge, we build a future that reflects the mercy of Allah Himself.
Wa billahi taufiq. Wassalamu Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
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