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The Human Library Experience
The Human Library Experience was a unique platform that connected participants with inspiring community leaders who have transformed their lives through dedication and innovation.
Last updated 21 February 2025
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Day 1 - 14 October 2024 (Mon)
This was held over 2 sessions as below:
Session 1: 2:00 – 3:45 PM
Session 2: 4:15 – 6:00 PM
The Human Library Experience was a unique platform that connected participants with inspiring community leaders who have transformed their lives through dedication and innovation. Here, members from esteemed community organisations and grassroots initiatives were present as “Human Books,” to offer deep insights into their journeys and contributions. Participants were engaged in meaningful conversations, explored personal stories of success, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned along the way.
Participants gained valuable perspectives on community engagement, leadership, and collaboration, as well as innovative approaches and creative solutions to address local challenges. Participants discovered the importance of diversity and inclusion and learned about strategies to foster a more inclusive environment. They heard about resilience needed to overcome obstacles, the various efforts to empower and mentor others, and their vision for creating sustainable, long-term impact.
Through storytelling and interactive Q&A sessions, participants experienced a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. It was hoped that the session provided a transformative experience for the participants and that it would inspire them to contribute meaningfully to their own communities. Listed below, were the "Human Books" of ICCOS 2024:
Theme 1: Social upliftment and empowerment
Ms. Zulayqha Zulkifli (The Project Hills)
Ms. Zulayqha Zulkifli, PBM is a dedicated social worker in Singapore whose life story is marked by resilience and a passion for helping others. She experienced significant hardships in her youth when her parents divorced, leading her and her siblings to face homelessness. Despite these challenges, Ms. Zulayqha took on the role of caretaker for her siblings, balancing her responsibilities at home with her studies and part-time work. She remained focused on education, eventually earning scholarships and excelling in her studies at ITE, Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).
Driven by her own experiences, Ms. Zulayqha co-founded Project Hills, a community initiative that provides food and other support to low-income families in rental housing. The project reflects her commitment to helping those in need, especially children and families going through similar hardships. Her work and determination have earned her numerous awards; Straits Times Generation Grit Award, National Day Award and Total Defence Award 2024. These awards highlight her perseverance and commitment to both her personal growth and the betterment of her community.
Ms. Nabillah Jalal (ArtSee)
Ms. Nabillah Jalal is a musician, educator, and community champion. She is the founder of NJ Studio, a boutique music school, and co-founder of ArtSEE, a non-profit project that gives underserved youths access to music education. Beyond music, Ms. Nabillah also serves the community through roles such as serving on the Steering Committee of Mendaki's Community Leaders Forum Labs, as Language Ambassador for the Malay Language Council, and through grounds-up initiatives for causes such as migrant worker welfare.
A recognised youth leader, she also gives voice to Singaporean youths in policymaking through National Youth Council’s Youth Panel and was Singapore’s head of delegation at the 2023 G20 Youth Summit. Ms. Nabillah graduated from Royal College of Music with Honours and was the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award.
Ms. Adriana Rasip (Empowered Families Initiative)
Ms. Adriana Rasip is the co-founder of Empowered Families Initiative (EFI), a developmental initiative that invests in the aspirations of lower-income families through grants, savings matching and peer support collectives, leveraging on the strengths and assets of lower-income families to improve their quality of life. Ms. Adriana believes in the building of relationships and peer support among families as a powerful force for transformation.
Besides EFI, she is also an asset-based community development practitioner that has worked alongside lower-income residents for the past decade in catalyzing various grounds-up initiatives in Redhill & Ang Mo Kio and spearheaded the building of community care hubs together with residents in promoting a sustainable ecosystem of care in Ang Mo Kio. Ms. Adriana also has an MPA in Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value from University College London.
Ms. Yuslyana Yusof (Youth Corps Singapore)
Ms. Yuslyana Yusof is presently Head (Programmes and Partnership), Youth Development at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Ms. Yuslyana has been a consistent and key pillar of the Youth Corps Children, Youth and Family Cluster. Her passion in youth development and mentorship motivated her to step up to be the co-cluster lead for the Children, Youth and Family Cluster, after leaving her position as a staff in Youth Corps Singapore.
She has been an active mentor in the cluster, lending a hand and guidance in supporting new projects initiated by the Cluster youth, mentoring and supporting fellow youth volunteers. Ms. Yuslyana also actively volunteers in external organisations in her free time such as Advisory and also with We Are Hear, a Youth Corps Affiliate, where she conducted volunteer training.
Theme 2: Representative leadership
Mr. Muhammad Afzal Abdul Hadi (Young ChangeMakers (YCM), National Youth Council)
Mr. Muhammad Afzal Abdul Hadi has made extensive contributions to Youth Corps Singapore and completed the rigorous one-year Youth Corps Leaders Programme in 2017. He served as the Chairperson of the Youth Corps Engagement Taskforce for five years, spearheading initiatives to raise awareness of social issues that sought to unite youth and drive positive. He has also been a Youth Corps Ambassador where he engaged new Youth Corps members, served as Assistant Mentor for the Youth Corps Leaders programme.
Beyond Youth Corps, Mr. Azfal has also represented Singapore as a delegate for various international events. He is also a curator under the NYC’s Young Changemakers Grant (YCM), where he mentors and guide youth ground up groups to develop their projects and receive grants of up to $5,000.
Mr. Azfal has spent the last decade volunteering for various causes, bridging his love for people development and social good. At Young ChangeMakers, Mr. Azfal and his team curates programmes to build the capacity of the Curators, so that they can be more effective and supportive in the development of youth projects that they fund and mentor.
Dr. Haslina Mohamed Hassan (SG Enable)
Dr. Haslina Mohamed Hassan is currently serving as a board member with SGEnable. Dr. Haslina has over 30 years of experience in mainstream and special needs education. She started as a primary school teacher and advanced to leadership roles at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) and a private special school. She also served as a Senior School Counsellor with the Ministry of Education (MOE).
Currently, she works as an Educational Therapist and Shadow Teacher, supporting children with special needs in mainstream schools. Dr. Haslina also shares her expertise as an adjunct lecturer, focusing on special education and developing specialized programmes for children.
Associate Professor (A/P) Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim (Singapore Muslim Women’s Association, PPIS, and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS))
Associate Professor Razwana Begum is the President of the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and the Head of the Public Safety and Security Programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). A dedicated educator with extensive academic qualifications, she holds a PhD in Business Ethics and Restorative Justice from Monash University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wolverhampton, a Master of Laws from the University of London, a Master in Counselling from Monash University, and a Graduate Diploma in Social Work from the National University of Singapore.
Before joining SUSS, A/P Razwana spent 18 years at the Ministry of Social and Family Development, working directly with children and individuals involved in the Criminal Justice and Child Protection systems. Her multi-disciplinary research approach addresses complex social issues with the aim of influencing policies for greater societal impact.
Recognized globally for her contributions to restorative justice, A/P Razwana is frequently sought after for her expertise, providing advice and training, collaborating on research projects, and presenting at international seminars and conferences. She is also an Adjunct Principal Scientist with the Centre for Advanced Technologies in Online Safety (CATOS).
In addition to her academic and professional roles, A/P Razwana serves as a Nominated Member of Parliament, a member of the MSF Fostering Committee, and represents PPIS on the Lembaga Biasiswa Kenangan Maulud (LBKM) Committee.
Mr. Norrizwan Rasip (Workplace Safety & Health Council)
As an Organisational Development practitioner and advocate of lifelong learning, Mr. Norrizwan Rasip utilizes polarity thinking to inspire new approaches to life, particularly in overcoming setbacks. He emphasizes resilience as the foundation for driving progress and navigating change in a VUCA world.
With prior experience leading public service transformation, knowledge management, organisational development, and digitalisation efforts within a Ministry setting, Mr. Norrizwan now applies his expertise to overseeing teams focused on corporate development, strategic planning, and programme management within the Workplace Health and Safety domain.
Theme 3: Social cohesion for the future
Mr. Mohamed Irshad (Roses of Peace)
Mr. Mohamed Irshad is president and founder of the inter-faith nonprofit group Roses of Peace. Roses of Peace has gained a reputation throughout time for offering a secure environment in which young people can engage with one another and pose challenging concerns regarding race and religion to elected officials, community and religious leaders, and legislators.With former President Halimah Yacob as their founding patron, Mr. Mohamed Irshad and his team, on her advice, started preparing the upcoming generation of interfaith young ambassadors by kickstarting the Roses of Peace Ambassador programme in 2018.
In addition to his ongoing success as a youth leader and advocate for interfaith harmony, Mr. Mohamed Irshad was one of the youngest members to be nominated for parliament. He is currently employed by Tata Consultancy Services, a multinational information technology company, as the head of corporate affairs for ASEAN and adjunct faculty at SMU.
Mr. Leonard Sim (hash.peace)
As the President of hash.peace, Mr. Leonard Sim plans the organization's talks and gatherings with the goal of bringing people together for private discussions on interfaith and social harmony concerns. As a member of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity and a member of the Singapore Delegation to the ASEAN Interfaith Youth Camp 2020, he also represents hash.peace and Singapore abroad.
Mr. Leonard is a dedicated volunteer with OnePeople.sg. He was a part of the planning teams for the HarmonyWorks! Conferences in 2019, 2020, and 2021. In 2019, he was chosen as a OnePeople.sg Youth Advocate and attended the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS).
Ustaz Ahmad Saiful Rijal Hassan (Religious Rehabilitation Group)
Ustaz Ahmad Saiful Rijal Hassan is an Associate Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). His research interests are Political Islam, youth radicalisation and Islamist Extremism. He completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Islamic Jurisprudence from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt and obtained his Master of Science in International Relations from RSIS. He also obtained a Career Certificate in Legal Translation in both Arabic and English at the American University in Cairo. He also serves as a religious counsellor of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), a voluntary group which works towards rehabilitating Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) detainees and self-radicalised individuals in Singapore.
Dr. Jared Poon (Principal Consultant, CounterFictional, Harmony Centre 3.0 Futures Workgroup)
Dr. Jared Poon is a philosopher and futurist, helping organisations tell healthier stories.
Theme 4: Considerations for the future – Enterprise, Professionals and Religious Sector
Ms. Ella Badis (Malay Muslims iN Tech)
Ms. Ella Badis is a seasoned marketer and salesperson with 10 years+ of experience, working in the marketing industry across Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, marketing agencies, and B2B platforms. She is currently a Senior Client Solutions Manager at LinkedIn, where she holds a quota-carrying role in managing clients to achieve their business goals in creating awareness of their brand and meeting the demands of the business. She is recognized as an advisor on social media strategies regionally, and has been invited to speak at several local and regional business events.
Ms. Ella is also a strong believer in women empowerment and community building. As a mother of two boys, she is also the Co-Lead for Families@LinkedIn in the Singapore office, and hopes to foster a sense of family belonging in a corporate environment. On a volunteer basis, she is part of the Core team in Malay Muslims iN Tech (MMiT), where various individuals from different technology companies organise community events for students and working adults to educate, give back to the community and inspire them into technology.
Ms. Nur Hakiima Zainol Abidin (Malay Muslims iN Tech)
Ms. Nur Hakiima Zainol Abidin has more than 10 years professional working experience in logistics operations, market research and Information Technology. She also has a proven track record of supporting diverse business units and teams across Asia Pacific. She also has a strong ability in analytical skills and translating complex ideas into actionable outcomes. She is also knowledgeable in contractual software license agreements and lead in complex negotiations with large enterprises.
Dynamic and dependable, she demonstrates strong critical thinking and decisive capabilities challenges. She is also a high-energy team player, competent in building trusted relationships through active listening and collaboration, as well as securing trusted working relationships across organizational and geographical locations.
Mr. Safafisalam Bohari Jaon (MARA Mentoring, Mendaki Club)
Mr. Safafisalam Bohari Jaon is a tenacious strategist for Southeast Asia’s just transition amid rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. Through his diverse consulting work at Eden Strategy Institute, he co-creates sustainability strategies, transformation plans, and capacity-building initiatives with large corporates, social enterprises, multilateral organisations, NGOs, and government agencies. Mr. Safa's work spans domains like energy, mobility, philanthropy, geopolitics, and innovation. As a youth advocate, he is often engaged by the Singapore government on sustainability, workforce, and other policy areas.
Ustaz Muhammad Azri Azman (Muhammadiyah Association)
Ustaz Muhammad Azri Azman is the President of Muhammadiyah Association, a position he held since 2019. He chairs Muhammadiyah Welfare Home and Muhammadiyah Health & Day Care Centre for Elderly. He also serves as a member in Mendaki’s Board of Directors, National Council of Social Service’s Board and as associate member in MUIS’ Fatwa Committee. Since taking over the helm of leadership in Muhammadiyah Association, Ustaz Azri has contributed significantly in guiding the management to uplift service quality and achieving strategic goals for the organization.
Beyond Muhammadiyah, Ustaz Azri is passionate about community building and continually seeks to empower people with disadvantages and vulnerable individuals to enact change in their lives. He is an active advocate for youth volunteerism, having been a part of the Malay Youth Literary Association (4PM) family since his teenage years. Two decades on, his hands-on experience, as well as sound understanding, of the community’s needs, have allowed him to develop and navigate solutions in the social service sector.
Ustazah Liyana Musfirah Anwar (Hayaa' Network)
Ustazah Liyanah Musfirah Anwar, is a mother, daughter, a businesswomen, sister and a friend to many. Armed with a Degree in Islamic Family Law (Ahwal Sakhsiyyah) from State Islamic University of Northern Sumatra, she continues her endeavour to trail-blaze women empowerment work in Singapore.
As a young female asatizah, her engagement efforts include women of all ages. Touching the lives of women and their concerns has been a hallmark of Ustazah Liyana Musfirah’s effort. Rooted in the belief on the importance of network and connection, the Liyana Musfirah Network (LMN) was established in late 2018. Responding to the need within her community of followers and students, she later expanded her network into a social enterprise, Hayaa’ Network Pte. Ltd.
Apart from offering religious teachings in the forms of classes and events, her Network’s focus has evolved to include community engagement, psychotherapy, as well as training and consultancy services. To date, Hayaa’ Network has actively collaborated with community agencies and organisations such as National Cancer Centre Singapore, Central Narcotics Bureau as part of the Dadah itu Haram campaign, Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura, Kandang Kerbau Hospital, People’s Association MESRA, ForwardSG, as well as the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ustazah Liyana Musfirah utilises the social media platform to engage, reach and connect with her students, followers and larger community locally, as well as in the region. To date, her Instagram page carries a followership of 105,000.
She won the Most Influential Womenpreneur Award in 2019 – this award has motivated her to look at even more ways to use her influence to support, guide, attend and cultivate learning within her community of women followers. More recently in August 2024, Ustazah Liyana was featured as one of the 101 women in a photobook photographed and written by Dr Chua Yang titled, "Women Inspiring Women - The National Edition. Women in Singapore Holding Up the Sky”.
Community Leadership
Mr. Suhaimi Salleh (Anugerah Jasa Cemerlang 2024 Recipient)
Mr. Suhaimi Salleh is a visionary leader who transformed a small bursary organisation into a cornerstone of Singapore's Malay/Muslim community, which benefited over 35,700 students with $31 million in educational support. This changemaker modernised operations, achieved Singapore Quality Class status and pioneered the adoption of the Charity Accounting System.
Mr. Suhaimi's mentorship led to younger leadership, with the current chairman under 40. With expertise in Islamic finance, charity governance, and business development, this leader has earned wide recognition. His leadership focuses on education, community cohesion, and empowering future generations. Mr. Suhaimi has adapted policies to meet changing needs and extended influence beyond a single organisation, serving on prestigious boards and offering insights for youth interested in community development.
Mr. Abdul Rahman Bin Mohd Hanipah (Anugerah Jasa Bakti 2024 Recipient)
This exemplary leader transformed a prominent Muslim community organisation with innovative projects and strategic vision, including spearheading the creation of Singapore's first transitional living programme for Muslim youths ageing out of care, and established a funerary service with a unique plough-back model supporting pro bono burials for underprivileged Muslims.
Mr. Abdul Rahman Bin Mohd Hanipah’s commitment to nurturing future talent is evident in his comprehensive leadership development programme and efforts to create career pathways for asatizahs within the social service sector. Serving on multiple non-profit boards, Mr. Abdul Rahman continues to uplift thousands of Singaporean Muslims, embodying a dedication to community welfare and spiritual growth.
Mr. Ahamed Sha Sayed Majunoon (Anugerah Jasa Bakti 2024 Recipient)
Mr. Ahamed Sha Sayed Majunoon is a dedicated community leader who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to service and educational enrichment for over two decades. With diverse roles including editing publications and managing after-school care programmes, Mr. Ahamed developed educational enhancement programmes for needy students, focusing on crucial life skills.
His expertise has been shared at youth conferences, presenting on topics such as economic contributions of minority groups. As an active member of a prominent Muslim professional organisation, he has shaped holistic community development initiatives, including early childhood education and scholarship programmes. This comprehensive approach to community upliftment spans various areas, making Mr. Ahamed an inspirational figure in community service.
Mr. Muhammad Jawad Abdullah (Anugerah Jasa Bakti 2024 Recipient)
Mr. Muhammad Jawad Abdullah has spearheaded transformative initiatives at a prominent mosque for over a decade, serving in various roles on the Management Board. This respected mosque leader was instrumental in the mosque's major upgrade and expansion of community services, including programmes for foreign domestic workers, children with special needs, and collaboration with welfare homes.
His acumen shone during the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing effective safety measures. Active in local security and emergency preparedness groups, Mr. Muhammad Jawad organised fundraising for welfare organisations and supported leadership development in the mosque sector. Known for his systems thinking, resilience, and dedication, this pioneer has built a new team of leaders, focusing on the common good of the organisation and community.
Hj. Nordin Bin Mustafa (Anugerah Jasa Bakti 2024 Recipient)
Having served for more than two decades, Hj. Nordin Bin Mustafa was part of an advisory panel for mosque building projects, providing crucial technical advice. His expertise has been instrumental in developing infrastructure as well as maximising space and functionality at their mosque,
Hj. Nordin’s influence extends beyond one mosque, lending expertise in design and maintenance to other mosques across Singapore. Additionally, this mentor figure has motivated staff and new board members, fostering commitment to the mosque, congregants, stakeholders, and the wider community.
Mdm. Patimah Binte Abdul Rahim (Anugerah Jasa Bakti 2024 Recipient)
Mdm. Patimah Binte Abdul Rahim is a dedicated and exemplary community advocate who has exemplified selflessness for over 15 years, starting as a volunteer at a local mosque. This pioneer progressed from Mosque Befriender to significant roles on the Mosque Management Board. As a Senior Befriender, Mdm. Patimah guides a team supporting zakat beneficiaries, particularly the elderly and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
This champion's work extends to enhancing support for Muslim incarcerated individuals and families. Even without formal roles, Mdm. Patimah is committed to service and ensures smooth program execution and assists during prayers and Ramadan activities, earning her widespread respect, admiration and inspiration.
Mdm. Shamim Hasanali Dhilawala (Anugerah Jasa Bakti 2024 Recipient)
Mdm. Shamim Hasanali Dhilawala has contributed remarkably to community service for over three decades, primarily through a prominent Muslim women's organisation and other entities. She began by empowering Muslim women through education on rights and family planning. Leveraging on her legal expertise, Mdm. Shamim has served as a voluntary legal adviser, assisting with various legal issues and agreements.
Mdm. Shamim's involvement extended to leadership succession planning, constitution reviews, and preschool education projects. Beyond this organisation, this dedicated individual has not only contributed to family violence prevention and Muslim financial planning initiatives but collaborated with religious authorities to amend fatwas conflicting with secular laws, particularly in areas of property, banking, and insurance.
Ms. Amalina Abdul Nasir (Anugerah Belia Harapan 2024 Recipient)
This dynamic community leader has spearheaded numerous initiatives, from humanitarian relief to career mentoring for disadvantaged youths. Ms. Amalina Abdul Nasir's strategic leadership in welfare organisations has empowered thousands of youths and fostered partnerships across communities. She has represented the community on national platforms, advocating for youth and female leadership in policy discussions.
Through her commitment to service, advocacy, and innovation, Ms. Amalina showcased resilience and passion for community development. Her efforts in empowering youth, particularly in tech sectors, have earned Ms. Amalina national recognition.
Ustaz Muhammad Luqman Hakim Bin Roslan (Anugerah Belia Harapan 2024 Recipient)
Ustaz Muhammad Luqman Hakim Bin Roslan has made significant impacts on youth leadership and community engagement. As the most active member of the Asatizah Youth Network, producing diverse content addressing important Islamic topics, his articles, videos, and live sessions have facilitated meaningful discussions and provided spiritual guidance, especially during crises.
As a docent at an interfaith centre, Ustaz Muhammad Luqman has hosted learning journeys for students, promoting inclusivity and understanding. Being compassionate by nature, this youth mentor has driven successful youth camps and donation drives, nurturing a strong base of young leaders. Through unwavering dedication, he has inspired and guided the younger generation, fostering a spirit of service and compassion within the community.
Mr. Muhamad Shahril Bin Samri (Anugerah Belia Harapan 2024 Recipient)
This young leader exemplifies outstanding leadership through various roles in youth organisations, language councils, and as a preschool educator.
As a Malay linguaphile, Mr. Muhamad Shahril Bin Samri has initiated and led numerous events and programmes at community and national levels, including language conservation efforts and advocacy for the Malay language. This champion's vision extends beyond Singapore, inspiring language ambassadors across Malaysia and Brunei. Through lectures, workshops, and radio programmes, Mr. Muhamad Shahril promotes language education and cultural exchange, particularly through pantun (traditional Malay poetry).
Mr. Muhamad Shahril also spearheads initiatives addressing social issues within the Muslim community, collaborating with local mosques and organisations. His efforts in community engagement, global advocacy, and language education have left a lasting impact on the Malay Muslim community.
Please click here for more information on all the recipients of the 2024 MUIS Awards.