For Shameera Nasreen Ahamed Noordeen, leadership did not begin in a grand hall or on an international stage. It all began at the grassroots level among young people and communities. That is where she learnt that creating change takes more than a title; it takes courage, resilience, and the willingness to step forward.
Today, that journey has taken her from the Malaysian Indian Youth Council (MIYC) to some of the world’s most prominent youth platforms, including the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York, the ASEAN Youth Dialogue and the Japan Youth Democracy Summit.
Recently her dedication was recognised at the national level when she received the Anugerah Belia Perdana Negara (APBN) 2026, becoming the first Tamil Muslim woman to receive the Tokoh Beliawanis Negara recognition. But behind the accolade is a journey deeply rooted in community.
MIYC: Where Leadership Took Root
Shameera describes her time with MIYC as the foundation of her understanding of what community leadership truly means.
“My journey with MIYC was my ground zero for understanding what community leadership truly requires,” she shared.
Through the organisation, she was exposed to young people from different backgrounds while gaining hands-on experience in organising social impact initiatives at grassroots, state and national levels.
One of the defining chapters of her journey was spearheading the Malaysian Indian Women Convention 20255. Taking on a national level initiative alongside major stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, pushed her beyond her comfort zone and taught her that leadership often means moving forward even when the challenges seem overwhelming.
“It redefined what resilience meant to me; it wasn’t just about enduring challenges, but actively steering a massive initiative forward under high expectations and complex demands,” she said.
Much of that growth, came from the mentorship she received at MIYC. Rather than being given a comfortable path, her mentors challenged her to take responsibility befor eshe felt completely ready. “They had a habit of throwing me into the deep end, forcing me to ‘swim’ before I felt fully ready,” she recalled.
While intimidating at first, those experiences taught her to trust her instincts, adapt quickly and make decisions under pressure.
Turning Difference Into Strength
For Shameera, the journey was also deeply personal. As a Tamil Muslim woman, she often found herself being the only person with her background in the room. In the beginning, that experience came with moments of self-doubt and uncertainty about whether she truly belonged.
But as time goes by, her perspective changed. She began to understand that her identity that once made her feel different could become her greatest strength.
“Over time, I realised that my unique background wasn’t a barrier; it was my strength,” she said.
That realisation became an important part of her leadership journey. Rather than trying to fit into spaces that were not always accustomed to seeing someone like her, Shameera chose to ring her identity and experiences with her. For her, representation is not simply about having a seat at the table. It is about making that seat meaningful for those who make not yet have one.
From Malaysian Communities to the Global Stage
Her experiences at the grassroots eventually led her to international platforms, where she found that the concerns of young people often transcend borders. From discussions on fundamental rights and freedom to education and access to basic needs, Shameera said young people everywhere share a desire to build a more equitable society.
Her journey also strengthened her belief that young people should not merely be viewed as beneficiaries of policies, but as contributors to the conversations and decisions that shape their future.
“Whether engaging young people in local communities or speaking at international summits, every single layer of youth is fighting for something meaningful,” she said.
For Shameera, reaching these platforms is therefore more than a personal achievement. It carries a responsibility to ensure that young people, particularly those from underrepresented communities, are heard and given opportunities to lead.
An Award That Becomes a Responsibility
Receiving the Tokoh Beliawanis Negara 2026 recognition is a milestone that Shameera holds with gratitude, but she sees it as something much bigger than an award. It represents the breaking of an invisible barrier.
Growing up as a Tamil Muslim woman, she experienced societal expectations that could make young women feel as though they should remain quiet, stay within boundaries or make themselves smaller. Her recognition, she hopes, can challenge those expectations and show other young women that leadership is not reserved for a particular background.
“For me, this national recognition shattered those invisible ceilings, not just for me, but hopefully for every girl who has ever looked in the mirror and wondered if she belongs in spaces of power,” she said.
And perhaps that is the most meaningful part of her journey; not simply how far she has travelled, but who she hopes to bring along with her.
Creating Space for the Next Generation
Looking ahead, Shameera hopes to channel her experiences into creating communities, mentorship programmes and safe spaces where young women from all backgrounds can develop the confidence to lead.
She wants the next generation to have access to the guidance and support that can help them recognise their own potential earlier in their journeys. Her message to young women is simple but powerful: they should never feel the need to make themselves smaller to belong.
“You don’t need to shrink yourself to fit into a room. You belong in every room where decisions are made,” she said.
From a young woman finding her place within the grassroots community to a national youth leader representing Malaysia on international platforms, Shameera’s journey is a reminder that leadership can begin anywhere.
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