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Message on Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day 2025

Mar 30, 2025

Message on Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day 2025

Fellow citizens,

Resilience is the ability to adapt successfully in the face of adversity. It is more¬—much more—than just the ability to endure. A resilient people know that they will rise above every challenge that life presents. They know that they have the wherewithal to remain steadfast and to persist, even when the road ahead seems impossible. A resilient people never lose sight of their goals and remain committed to achieving a brighter, more hopeful future.

This spirit of resilience is exactly what the Spiritual Baptist faithful embodied, when on November 16, 1917, the Shouter Prohibition Ordinance of 1917 came into being, denying them the freedom to worship, congregate and practise their beliefs. This oppressive law, along with the public persecution they faced, was designed to undermine the legitimacy of their faith and reinforce the colonial disdain for African customs and traditions.

Fortunately for all of us, Spiritual Baptists did not yield to colonial pressure. They were resilient. They held fast to their faith, meeting secretly and enduring all manner of harassment and humiliation. After years of struggle and agitation, their efforts bore fruit in 1951 – as resilience often does – when the Shouter Prohibition Ordinance was finally repealed. That victory was not the end of their fight; rather, it only fuelled their continued pursuit of religious freedom, and in 1996, Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day was declared.

The struggle of the Spiritual Baptist community for recognition, justice, dignity and freedom is, at one and the same time, a source of justifiable national pride as it is of tremendous inspiration. The story of Spiritual Baptists is the story of the true power of resilience, perseverance and commitment to a common cause. As a nation, we would do well to emulate and model their example. As our country faces our own struggles and challenges, the model of the Spiritual Baptists movement is available to us to draw from the wells of our inner strength and to stare down, as they did, the perils and the dangers that confront us. Much like the Spiritual Baptists, our success as a nation hinges on our recognising and accepting that resilience is not a solitary endeavour—it is the collective effort of a people standing together, supporting one another and working in harmony toward a brighter, more prosperous future.

The challenges we face today may not be the same as those faced by the Spiritual Baptists, but their example of resilience remains relevant, perhaps more now than ever before. As we observe Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day this year, let us honour the Spiritual Baptist faith by embracing and embodying their example of resilience. Let us commit to standing together and surmounting every obstacle in our path as we work towards building a country of which we can all be proud and glad.

I extend to the Spiritual Baptist community and all citizens of our nation best wishes for a safe, happy and joyous celebration of Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day.

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4 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
His Excellency Didier Chabert, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago paid a farewell courtesy call on Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday 10th September, 2025 at The President’s House.His Excellency was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Marguerite Chabert.Her Excellency thanked the Ambassador for his service to Trinidad and Tobago and extended her best wishes for his future endeavours. ... See MoreSee Less

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4 days ago

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#ICYMIOn Thursday, September 4, 2025, the Office of the President welcomed the third and final group of winners of this round of #otptriviatuesday. 🏆🧠Over the past 13 weeks, participants tested their knowledge of the history of the Presidency and The President's House, and the best of the best emerged victorious. 👏✨Congratulations to all winners, and sincere thanks to everyone who participated. Stay tuned for more engaging and educational activities from the Office of the President!#otptriviatuesdaye#officeofthepresidenttte#trinidadandtobagoobago ... See MoreSee Less

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5 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#TodayAtOTP Today, Wednesday 10th September, 2025, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago presented the President’s Medals for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) and the National Examinations Council (NEC) to awardees for the years 2023 and 2024.Click link for full photo album: www.flickr.com/photos/160414226@N06/albums/72177720328939620/with/54779094474 ... See MoreSee Less

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5 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#TodayAtOTPAwardees of the 2023 & 2024 President’s Medals pose with Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia S.C., First Gentleman with Minister of Education, Dr. the Hon. Michael Dowlath, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Senator Professor the Hon. Prakash Persad and Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Hansen Narinesingh at today’s ceremony at The President’s House. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

7 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
As the new school year begins today, the Office of the President extends best wishes to all students, teachers, and parents. May you be inspired to work hard and make the most of every moment, as this year brings fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve! 📚✏️🌟 With the JAVA season officially over, let's take a look back at some of the tour groups we were delighted to host at The President’s House, including the Mt. Ebo Spiritual Baptist Church Children’s Ministry, the THA Primary Plenary Debaters and Assembly Legislature, and the children of the La Brea Constituency Office. 🏛️📸See following link for full albums: www.flickr.com/photos/160414226@N06/albums/Photos Courtesy: Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force ... See MoreSee Less

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President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
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