Reading time:5 min read

Woven in Serenity — A Spoken-Word Tribute

Have you ever met a woman
who walks into a room
and you do not hear noise…
but you feel light?

Not the kind that blinds you.
The kind that warms you.
The kind that stays.

Her name is Waleeyah.

And no,
let me start again…
because some people deserve
to be introduced gently.

I say…
have you ever met a woman
who knows exactly who she is
and still leaves room for softness?

A woman who prays
like she is in constant conversation with Allah,
and loves
like she understands that loving people lillah
is an act of worship?

That woman is Waleeyah.

She is a friend to many,
not because she is loud,
but because she is present.

Strong… yes.
Voiceful… yes.
Relentless when it comes to purpose.

Yet emotional enough to cry
when her sisters in Islam are wounded,
because some hearts
do not know how to be indifferent.

She chases what she wants,
not because she is proud…
but because she trusts
the One who wrote her destiny.

And when she walks,
she does not drag shadows behind her.

She radiates light...
like the SUN.
Steady.
Consistent.
Unapologetic.

And I ask you…
is it not true
that light does not beg
for permission to shine?

They say she studied Law…
but I have seen her speak
like justice itself
rests on her shoulders.

Like fairness is not an abstract idea,
but a responsibility.

A woman of substance.
Brilliant is not a compliment here, jooor
it is simply a description.

And oh… she writes.
She convenes the Muslimah Writers’ Hub,
equipping hundreds
with ink and intention,
with words and worship.

She writes like she is not afraid of history
like she is ready
to rewrite it
if necessary.

She has served…
oh, she has served.
Two-time Assistant PRO.
And if you have ever received a broadcast from her,
you know what I mean
when I say
it somehow feels personal.
Like she typed your name
with her heart.

An experienced officer.
Watching.
Checking.
Making sure everyone carries
the trust Allah placed on them
with excellence.

CEO of Pearl Palace,
because some women do not just beautify spaces,
they beautify people.

She makes you shine…
shine…
shine…
inside and out.

She is that friend
who cheers your wins
louder than her own.

The one whose mouth never tires of saying,
Allahumma baarik.

The one who carries her friends on her head
and says,
“These are my people. Lillah.”

And then…
this is the part
where the story shifts.

Because this is where
another Glint sister
gets married.

And if you know… you know.
If you served… you know.
If you glinted… you know.

And then there is EcoVanguard.
Hmmm!

A space built on the belief
that greener is better,
that the earth is an amaanah,
that loving the environment
is also an act of faith.

She was there…
and somewhere between advocacy and action,
between meetings and missions,
between saving the planet
and serving Allah…

Love was quietly taking notes.

Because he was once there too,
Engineer AbdulSalam.

A man per excellence.
And I say this slowly,
because excellence follows him
like a habit.

A former Director of Studies—
Daddy awon students.
A scholar.
A civil engineer.
A mentor.
A leader.
A builder in every sense of the word...
PARAGON.

A man whose projects always end up top-notch,
not by chance…
but by intention.

The one who organizes things so well
you don’t need to worry.

And I ask you…
is it coincidence
that two people
who serve with purpose
found each other
in service?

He once said…
this was where it all started.
How poetic.

Two hearts learning to care
for the earth…
and slowly…
for each other.

And now,
let me take a breath…
because this part is mine.

Mine
and hers.

My baby is getting married.
My partner in service.

They call us
Exp SUN
and Exp MUN.

One rises with warmth,
the other steady with calm.

We have walked together,
shoulder to shoulder…
and it feels only right
to see her step
into this new chapter
while I stand here,
proud…
a silent witness…

knowing she is ready
for all that Allah
has written for her.

May your home be light and reflection,
warmth and calm.

May Allah place barakah
between you,
before you,
and around you.

And when people ask
what love looks like…
tell them this story.
and remind them of this poem.
Of service.
Of purpose.
Of two souls…
Woven in Serenity.


Written by Nimotallahi Raji, this spoken-word tribute celebrates the union of Waleeyah Olalekan and Abdusalam Oladapo, former members of the MSSNUI Central Executive Council.