Muis Awards 2024: Inspiring the Leaders of Tomorrow – The Journey of Anugerah Belia Harapan Recipients
In the heart of Singapore's vibrant Muslim community, four exceptional individuals have emerged as beacons of hope and inspiration. Ustazah Amalina Abdul Nasir, Ustaz Muhammad Luqman Hakim Roslan, Muhammad Shahril Samri, and Nur Khairunnaqiyya Azhar are the proud recipients of Muis Awards 2024's Anugerah Belia Harapan at the International Conference on Communities of Success (ICCOS) 2024, held from 14 to 15 October. The Muis Awards’ Anugerah Belia Harapan celebrates outstanding young Muslim leaders who have made significant contributions to the community.
11 Muis Awards 2024 recipients (including four of the Anugerah Belia Harapan recipients) with the President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Muis’ Senior Management.
Their journeys, while unique, share a common thread of passion, perseverance, and a deep-rooted desire to give back to the community that nurtured them. These four individuals have carved paths that not only elevate themselves but also pave the way for future generations.
Turning Personal Growth into Community Empowerment
Ustazah Amalina Abdul Nasir's story begins with a simple act of gratitude. "I've always wanted to contribute to the community because my tertiary education was fully subsidised.” Her sense of gratitude sparked a passion for youth empowerment that has touched many lives. Amalina has been at the forefront of career development initiatives for young Muslims, serving in key leadership roles. In 2023, she was appointed to the Singapore International Foundation's Board of Governors and joined the Management Committee of the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home. Today, she also serves as Vice President of Mendaki Club, continuing her commitment to empowering the community.
Ustazah Amalina chairing Panel 1: Social Upliftment and Empowerment at ICCOS 2024.
Her journey in community service began in 2013 with the Malay Youth Literary Association (4PM), shortly after winning the Bahas National Debate Championship. This experience and achievement led her to the path of empowering Malay Muslim youth through debate. Under her leadership, Mendaki Club has piloted several innovative programs, including industry career conversations and mentoring initiatives, which have been widely adopted by other Malay Muslim Organisations.
But Ustazah Amalina's impact extends far beyond community programmes. She has made a significant impact by representing the Malay Muslim community on national and regional platforms and advocating for youth leadership. In 2023, she participated in the ASEAN Youth Fellowship, where she promoted cross-cultural collaboration and understanding among ASEAN nations. Additionally, her leadership was recognised through her selection for the National Youth Council's prestigious Our Singapore Leadership Program, further enhancing her role as a voice for her community and a champion of youth empowerment. Her voice fills with pride as she recounts, "I'm proud to say that as a Madrasah kid, to be given that opportunity to even be the face for the Malay-Muslim community, at national level conversations with the Prime Minister. I think it’s very symbolic."
Her journey is a powerful testament to the potential of every young Muslim in Singapore. Yet, she remains refreshingly grounded. "I still feel like 'they have so much more solid foundation than you," she confesses, speaking of the imposter syndrome she sometimes battles. It's this very vulnerability that makes her relatable to the youth she serves. Earlier in 2024, Ustazah Amalina also embarked on two humanitarian efforts to provide humanitarian aid to refugees. Read our feature article on Muslim.Sg's What Feeding Refugees During Ramadan Taught 4 Asatizah from Asatizah Youth Network (AYN).
Left: Humanitarian efforts for Syrian refugees in February. Right: Distributing goodie bags to children at a refugee camp in Jordan in March. Both photos courtesy of Ustazah Amalina.
Bridging Faith and Modern Life with Compassion to Uplift Youth
While Ustazah Amalina blazes trails in leadership and policy, Ustaz Muhammad Luqman Hakim Roslan bridges the gap between faith and modern life. As a volunteer with the Asatizah Youth Network (AYN), Ustaz Luqman brings a fresh perspective to the religious discourse with a deep appreciation for youth and the impact they offer to society. When asked about his passion for working with youth, "One is because of the relationship that I’ve built with the youth through the years. And at the same time, I can see that they need support”, he explains with enthusiasm and care for them. In a Muslim.Sg’s Reflections from a Youth article, the writer shared that Ustaz Luqman leads Munawwarin Youth with empathy by frequently checking in and initiating discussions with fellow youth to organise activities like da’wah talks, adventure activities and many more.
Ustaz Luqman, along with Anna Belle Francis, invited to speak on Muslim.Sg’s podcast Tune Islam for season 2 on Raising Thinking Children
In 2023, Ustaz Luqman's work and contribution through Muslim.Sg has been immense. He was instrumental in addressing contemporary issues from an Islamic perspective, producing articles, videos, and social media content that resonate with young Muslims. During challenging times, such as the Gaza crisis, Luqman's involvement as a speaker in Muslim.Sg's pop-up event demonstrated his commitment to addressing contemporary social issues and providing spiritual guidance. His empathetic approach and ability to address pressing social issues within an Islamic framework have contributed significantly to positive social outcomes within the Singapore Muslim community. Read more on Muslim.Sg’s Building Bridges: The Importance of Safe Spaces for Dialogues.
Beyond his commitment as part of AYN (Asatizah Youth Network), he has also been a Harmony Centre docent since 2018, engaging with diverse audiences and bringing his compassionate approach to every interaction. "Interfaith is more about making friends and understanding their point of view, and portraying Islam to be what it is (a good example)". Ustaz Luqman finds that it is important to build bridges in Singapore's diverse society. His ability to navigate the delicate balance between traditional Islamic teachings and contemporary issues has made him a valuable asset in fostering understanding across different faiths.
Ustaz Luqman seating as a panel with fellow speakers from other faith communities in an interfaith workshop for secondary four students from Madrasah Al-Maarif.
Upholding the Beauty of the Malay Language
As Ustazah Amalina and Ustaz Luqman work to empower youth and build interfaith harmony, Muhammad Shahril Samri keeps the flame of Malay culture burning bright. As Chairman of Penterjemah Pintar at 4PM (Malay Youth Literary Association), Shahril's passion for the Malay language is palpable in every word he speaks.
He states with conviction (in Bahasa), "Even though we are ethnically Malay, language is half of what makes us Malay.” Shahril's initiatives, including Pantunism, a movement advocating Malay poetry, aim to make language learning engaging and relevant for the younger generation.
Shahril's journey in community service began in 2006 with 4PM's Ramadan on Wheels programme, but it was his love for the Malay language that truly set his path. His enthusiasm is infectious as he explains the importance of the Malay language in the broader context and brimming with pride as he describes the vast Malay-speaking population.
But Shahril's journey has not been without its hurdles. With disarming honesty, he shares his own struggles with the language: “I actually had problems speaking in Malay like this ten years ago.” This personal experience has made him all the more determined to help others overcome similar obstacles.
Image source: Singapore Writers Festival
His initiatives go beyond just speaking. Every week, he dedicates several hours to teaching pantun at a local radio station, making learning enjoyable and engaging through games, role-playing activities, and real-life scenarios. Shahril's work serves as a bridge between generations, ensuring that the rich cultural heritage of the Malay community continues to thrive in modern Singapore.
From a Chance Encounter at Community Service to a Decade of Dedication
Rounding out this quartet of changemakers is Nur Khairunnaqiyya Azhar, whose journey into community service started almost by chance. "Honestly, I was just helping with a programme," she says with a warm laugh. This serendipitous start in 2013 has blossomed into a decade-long commitment that has touched countless lives through her work with Masjid Assyakirin and various Muslimah committees.
Nur Khairunnaqiyya Azhar, second from right, along with other Muis Awards recipients speaking to Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir.
From her initial role as a member, Naqiyya progressed to Assistant Secretary, then Secretary, and now serves as Treasurer of Masjid Assyakirin under the District West Muslimah Committee. Navigating this journey, however, has required overcoming various hurdles.
Naqiyya's eyes soften as she speaks about the challenges she has faced, particularly as a young woman among more senior volunteers. But rather than being daunted, Naqiyya embraced these challenges as opportunities for growth, finding herself in the role of a mediator between generations.
One of her proudest achievements was her involvement in the 'Love Your Living Environment Youth Challenge' in 2019, a collaboration aimed at creating awareness about keeping common corridors clutter-free. Her dedication extends to fostering partnerships with other organisations, such as the Kumpulan Orang Cacat Muslim Singapura (KCMS) or Muslim Handicap Society of Singapore, highlighting how her various roles have enriched her community service.
As she reflects on her decade-long service, Naqiyya's eyes shine with gratitude for the senior volunteers who have inspired her. "I learned a lot from them because they're always volunteering. They always have the time," she says admiringly. "I'm very inspired by them because, like, how do they have the time being a mother, a grandmother, everything, some working, and still volunteering."
Conclusion
Despite their different paths, all four recipients share a common vision for the future - one where young Muslims are empowered to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. As Ustazah Amalina puts it, "You too can go places. At the end of the day, you are not defined by the ceiling that the community puts for you."
Their stories are a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have when they choose to serve their community. From Amalina's national-level advocacy and cross-cultural collaboration to Luqman's youth work and interfaith bridge-building, from Shahril's language preservation efforts to Naqiyya's grassroots community work, these young leaders are shaping a brighter future for Singapore's Muslim community.
As we celebrate their achievements, let's also take inspiration from their journeys. They show us that every one of us, regardless of our background or initial skills, has the potential to contribute meaningfully to our community. In their stories, we see the beautiful tapestry of Singapore's Muslim community - diverse, resilient, and ever-evolving.
The Anugerah Belia Harapan recipients remind us that leadership isn't just about achievements - it's about the heart behind the service, the resilience in the face of challenges, and the unwavering commitment to making a difference. As Singapore continues to navigate the complexities of modern society, these young leaders serve as beacons of hope, inspiring others to contribute meaningfully to their community and nation.
Watch this video of our Muis Awards 2024 recipients!
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