REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY JOSEPH NYUMA BOAKAI. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA AT THE WELCOMING AND SPECIAL PRAYER SERVICE FOR 2025 LIBERIAN HAJJ PILGRIMS

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY JOSEPH NYUMA BOAKAI. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
AT THE WELCOMING AND SPECIAL PRAYER SERVICE FOR 2025 LIBERIAN HAJJ PILGRIMS

EJS Ministerial Complex
Oldest Congo Town, Liberia

Thursday, July 3, 2025

As-Salaamu Alaikum!
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Distinguished Imams; Elders of the Islamic Community;
Madam Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs;
Honorable Government Officials;
Our Esteemed Pilgrims;
Members of the Fourth Estate;
Fellow Liberians:

I bring you warm greetings and heartfelt gratitude as we gather here today in the spirit of thanksgiving, reflection, and unity to welcome home our brothers and sisters who have just returned from the sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Mecca.

To our dear pilgrims, welcome home! You have completed one of the greatest spiritual journeys in Islam, fulfilling the fifth pillar of your faith. Your presence here today is not just a confirmation of your individual devotion, but a source of pride for all of Liberia. We celebrate you, we honor you, and we pray that Allah accepts your Hajj and grants you the full blessings of this holy obligation.

This moment is also a reminder that faith must guide our actions, not just in Mecca, but right here at home. The patience, humility, sacrifice, and unity that the Hajj teaches must now be carried into our homes, our communities, and our country. Let us be transformed not only in spirit, but also in character, seeking peace, speaking truth, and building a more just and inclusive society.

As President of this nation, I remain deeply committed to the freedom of religion, and to ensuring that every Liberian regardless of faith, ethnicity, or region feels seen, respected, and included in the work of national development.

In these times when our nation seeks healing, reconciliation, and renewal, I ask that you, our returning pilgrims, become ambassadors of peace. Be voices of wisdom in your communities. Stand against hate, division, and indifference. Our country needs your prayers, yes, but it also needs your leadership, your compassion, and your example.

To our religious leaders, I thank you for your guidance and your continued partnership in shaping the moral conscience of our nation. I call on you today, as I have always done, to stand with Government and civil society in fostering unity, addressing social ills, and nurturing the soul of our Republic.

Let this gathering not just be ceremonial, but spiritual. Let it be the beginning of a national renewal, inspired by the values of Hajj: forgiveness, justice, solidarity, and submission to the will of Almighty God.

As we pray together, let us also work together to build a Liberia where no one is left behind, and where faith serves as a bridge, not a barrier.

May Allah continue to guide our steps, bless our beloved Liberia, and grant peace to all who dwell within her borders.
Welcome home, once again. May your Hajj be accepted! May Liberia rise in peace!

Thank you, and As-Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh!