PLEEBO, Maryland County — What is traditionally a period of deep reflection, unity and spiritual renewal turned into a season of quiet anxiety for many Muslims in Pleebo, Maryland County, as this year’s Ramadan unfolded alongside rising tensions at the Liberia–Guinea Border.
By Peter P. Toe, Jr.
For weeks, as Muslims fasted and gathered nightly in prayer, uncertainty lingered in the background. Community leaders say the situation at the Guinea – Liberia border did not only raise security concerns—it also stirred fear of possible misunderstandings within Liberia itself.
According to Imam Abdourahmane H. Bah, the growing tension risked creating suspicion about Muslims, particularly amid what he described as a widespread but misleading perception that associates Islam with Guinean nationality.
As the situation escalated, Imam Bah says many in the Muslim community feared they could be unfairly targeted if the crisis deepened.
“Throughout the Ramadan we had worries; we were worrying in ourselves because of the situation that was going on between Guinea and Liberia at the border,” Imam Bah stated.
“The majority of the Muslims are not Guineans, but people think every Muslim is a Guinean and so in case of anything, they want to attack the Muslim community.”
Observers note that without swift intervention, the situation could have evolved into broader social tension, especially in communities where misinformation spreads quickly during periods of national anxiety.
Muslim leaders in Pleebo say the move of President Joseph Boakai handling the border issue ‘diplomatically,’ did not only reduced tensions at the border but also prevented potential ripple effects within local communities.
For Mohammed B. Dukuly, Chief Imam of the Pleebo Central Mosque, the experience serves as a reminder of Liberia’s fragile past and the constant need to safeguard peace.
Reflecting on previous years, he noted that Ramadan celebrations had typically been marked by calm and communal harmony—free from the kind of anxiety witnessed this year.
Unlike past observances, where attention remained solely on prayer, charity, and togetherness, this year’s Ramadan required many to balance spiritual devotion with quiet concern over national developments.
Despite the challenges, the conclusion of Ramadan in Pleebo was ultimately marked by relief and renewed calls for unity.
Muslim leaders are now urging Liberians to reject harmful assumptions and embrace coexistence, emphasizing that religious identity should never be used as a basis for division.
As calm returns, many in the community say the experience has reinforced a simple but urgent message: peace must be protected—not only at the borders, but within the hearts and perceptions of citizens.
