Her Royal Highness Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, Consort of Sultan Johor accompanied by her two children; HRH Tunku Tun Aminah and HRH Tunku Jamil, the Tunku Laksamana of Johor made a 4 day visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 4 -7 December 2013. Aside from members of the royal family, the delegation consisted of YBhg. Brig General (Rtd) Dato’ Ali bin Haji Musa, Pengelola Bijaya DiRaja Johor, YBhg. Datin Normah binti Eksan, wife of the Johor State Secretary and YBhg. Datin Noor Laila binti Yahaya, Chairman of Mutiara Johor Corporation.
The visit by HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah was by the invitation from the Government of Oman to deliver a keynote address at the 3rd Sultan Qaboos Award for Voluntary Work held on 5 December 2013 at Grand Hyatt Muscat. Among distinguished guests present at the event was HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Said bin Saif al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development cum Chairman of the main awards committee and HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Bakri, Minister of Manpower, Sultanate of Oman.
HRH Tuanku’s arrival on a chilly and early morning of 4th December 2013 was happily received by YBhg. Dato Rustam Yahaya, Ambassador of Malaysia to Oman and YBhg. Datin Dr. Musrifah Sapardi as well as other embassy officials. The delegation was given the utmost royal treatment by the Oman Government from the use of the Royal VIP Lounge and 7 cars from the Royal House (Diwan) up to the 5 star hotel accommodation provided at the AL Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Muscat.
Throughout the 4 day visit, a series of programme was carefully outlined by the good office of HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Said bin Saif al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development and assisted by the Embassy of Malaysia in Muscat. Aside from the official engagement at the award giving ceremony, HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah had a meeting with the Minister of Social Development whom later hosted lunch in honour of HRH Tuanku’s visit to the Sultanate of Oman.
As HRH Tuanku is very passionate about education and the empowerment of women, a visit to the Sultan Qaboos University was held where discussion for future collaboration were discussed as well as a visit to the Omani Women Association whom later hosted a grand dinner fit for a queen. The delegation also visited the Bait Al Zubair Museum and Nizwa town, which is a two hour drive from Muscat, where they were brought to Nizwa Fort and the Nizwa souk. HRH Tuanku was also well received by the ladies at the Women Association of Nizwa with cultural performances from the children as well as handicraft demonstration by the womenfolk.
PERWAKILAN of Muscat also took the golden opportunity of the royal visit to invite HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah and her two charming children for a hi-tea reception held at Rumah Malaysia, the official residence of the Malaysian Ambassador in Muscat. Despite HRH Tuanku’s hectic official engagements, about 30 PERWAKILAN ladies were mesmerized by her energy and commitment in meeting with Malaysians living abroad.
When it was time to bid farewell in the early morning of 7th December 2013, the mood was somber as in as short as 4 days close acquaintances were made and left a mark yet to be filled. From the bottom of our humblest hearts we wish to say, ”Menjunjung Kasih Tuanku”.