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Raja Zarith Sofiah

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Raja Zarith Sofiah
راج زاريث صوفية‎
Raja Zarith Sofiah depicted in an oil painting by Rajasekharan Parameswaran, 2019
Raja Permaisuri Agong XVII
Tenure31 January 2024 – present
Installation20 July 2024
PredecessorTunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah
Permaisuri of Johor
Tenure23 January 2010 – present
Coronation23 March 2015
PredecessorSultanah Zanariah (as Sultanah)
BornRaja Zarith Sofiah binti Raja Idris Shah
(1959-08-14) 14 August 1959 (age 65)
Batu Gajah Hospital, Perak, Malaya
Spouse
​
(m. 1982)​
Issue
Names
Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah
Regnal name
Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah
HouseSiak-Perak
(by birth)
Temenggong
(by marriage)
FatherSultan Idris Shah II
MotherRaja Perempuan Muzwin
ReligionSunni Islam

Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah (Jawi: راج زاريث صوفية بنت المرحوم سلطان إدريس شاه‎; born 14 August 1959) is the Queen of Malaysia (Raja Permaisuri Agong) and the Permaisuri of Johor as a wife of Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar. She was born as a member of the Perak royal family. While still attending Somerville College, Oxford, she married the heir to the throne of Johor. Now a mother of six, she participates in the work of non-governmental organisations and universities, and writes a periodical column for a newspaper.

Early life and education

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Raja Zarith Sofiah was born at Batu Gajah Hospital, in Perak, on 14 August 1959 as the third child and second daughter of Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak and Raja Perempuan Muzwin binti Raja Ariff Shah.[1][2] Her parents were first step-cousins once removed. She is a second step-cousin of Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak. Sultan Azlan's paternal grandfather, her paternal grandfather and her mother's paternal grandfather were children of Sultan Idris Shah I of Perak, all with different mothers.[3]

She attended Datin Khadijah Primary School and then Raja Perempuan Kelsom School in Kuala Kangsar, before moving on to Cheltenham Ladies' College to complete her secondary education. She attended Somerville College, Oxford and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Chinese studies from the University of Oxford in 1983 and her Master of Arts in 1986.[1][2][4]

Current activities

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Raja Zarith Sofiah is the chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,[5] the Royal Advisor to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, the Chairman of the Yayasan (Foundation) Raja Zarith Sofiah Negeri Johor (YRZSNJ) of the State of Johor and the Chairman of the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation (TLJCF) of Johor. She is also a Fellow of the School of Language Studies and Linguistics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).[6] She delivered the keynote address at the 2011 UKM International Language Conference.[7] She is the Royal Patron of Oxford University Malaysia Club [OUMC] (beginning Michaelmas 2011).[8]

Raja Zarith is a strong advocate of improving the use of English in Malaysia.[9][10] In addition to Malay and English, she speaks Mandarin Chinese, Italian and French.[4]

She has authored several children's books (illustrator also), including Puteri Gunung Ledang, and writes for The Star's "Mind Matters" column (previously also in the newspaper New Straits Times).[4]

Raja Zarith supports various charitable and non-governmental organisations. She is a patron of the Spastic Childrens Association of Johor, the Rotary Club of Tebrau Heart Fund and the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association.[1][10] She is also the Chair of the Community Services Committee of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.[6]

Raja Zarith Sofiah is also active in religious activities. There is a foundation which is named after her which is called Yayasan Raja Zarith Sofiah Negeri Johor (YRZSNJ). It was launched on 28 November 2012 at the Kuala Lumpur campus of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia[11] The foundation's purpose is to generate funds for various educational programmes.[12] The foundation was set up after the Sultan of Johor and she agreed with the proposal by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, in line with the Royal Johor Institution, in developing the teachings of Islam.[12]

Marriage and children

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On 22 September 1982, Raja Zarith Sofiah married the then Tunku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Johor, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail.[13] After the marriage, she was styled as Her Highness Raja Zarith Sofiah, Isteri Tunku Mahkota (Consort of the Crown Prince) of Johor.

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail was proclaimed the 25th Sultan of Johor after the death of his father on 23 January 2010. On 22 November 2010 in conjunction with Sultan Ibrahim's 52nd birthday celebration, Raja Zarith was bestowed upon her the style of Duli Yang Maha Mulia (Her Royal Highness),[14] until her coronation took place on 23 March 2015. On her coronation day, she was conferred the title Permaisuri of Johor (The Queen consort)[15][16] with the style as Her Majesty.[17]

She and Sultan Ibrahim have six children:[18]

Notable published works

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  • On Common Ground: A Collection of Articles (2013) ISBN 9789674150952

Titles and styles

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Styles of
Raja Zarith Sofiah
Reference styleHer Majesty
Spoken styleYour Majesty
Alternative styleTuanku

As a Permaisuri of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah's full style and title in Malay: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, D.K. (I), D.K. (II), D.M.N., S.P.M.J., S.I.M.J., P.S.I., D.K. (Perak), S.P.C.M., Permaisuri Johor[19]

in English: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, D.K. (I), D.K. (II), D.M.N., S.P.M.J., S.I.M.J., P.S.I., D.K. (Perak), S.P.C.M., Permaisuri of Johor[20]

In her tenure as a Raja Permaisuri Agong, Raja Zarith Sofiah's full style and title in Malay: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah[21]

in English: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia[22] or simply Her Majesty The Queen of Malaysia[23]

Honours

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See also: List of honours of the Johor Royal Family by country

Honours of Johor

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National and state honours

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  •  Malaysia :
  •  Perak :
    • Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Perak (DK, 15 July 2024)[29]
    • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM) – Dato' Seri (4 March 1983)

Honorary doctorate

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Ancestry

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Biography for Raja Zarith Sofiah Ibni Sultan Idris Al Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah". SiloBreaker. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b "D.Y.M.M Sultan Johor". Government of Johor. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Perak". Genealogical Gleanings. Archived from the original on 20 February 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Lim, Teck Ghee (18 November 2010). "Royalty Extraordinaire". Centre of Policy Initiatives. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  5. ^ "The Chancellor". Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Archived from the original on 24 April 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  6. ^ a b Raja Zarith Idris (8 November 2009). "A world of disunited nations". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 11 December 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  7. ^ Raja Zarith Idris (15 March 2011). "A dire need to listen". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 11 December 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  8. ^ "OUMC Patron".
  9. ^ "Using English Doesn't Make One Less Patriotic, Says Raja Zarith". Bernama. 8 January 2008.
  10. ^ a b "Royal Patron: H.R.H. Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah". Malaysian English Language Teaching Association. Archived from the original on 8 August 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Majlis Pelancaran Yayasan Raja Zarith Sofiah Negeri Johor (photo album)". Professor Datuk Ir. Dr. Zaini bin Ujang, Office of Vice Chancellor. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Yayasan Raja Zarith Sofiah Negeri Johor in need of RM60 million endowment". Bernama via New Straits Times. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of Johor". JBDirectory.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  14. ^ "Sultan Ibrahim Sultan berkenan kurnia gelaran DYMM kepada Raja Zarith Sofiah sempena hari keputeraan baginda" (in Malay). mStar. 22 November 2010.
  15. ^ "No 'sultanah' title or special perks for 2 Johor consorts". New Straits Times. 17 February 2011. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  16. ^ Benjamin, Nelson (17 March 2010). "Johor Sultan graces RJCC lunar new year dinner". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  17. ^ Rizalman Hammim (5 September 2017). His Majesty has graciously consented Her Royal Highness the Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah be addressed as ‘Her Majesty New Straits Times.
  18. ^ "Johor". Genealogical Gleanings. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  19. ^ Mohd Fahmi Mohd Yusof "Gelaran dalam bahasa Malaysia 'Duli Yang Maha Mulia' bagi Sultan dan Permaisuri Johor, dikekalkan" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 5 September 2017.
  20. ^ (5 September 2017).Sultan Ibrahim had also consented to Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, Permaisuri Johor to be addressed as "Her Majesty". The Straits Times.
  21. ^ "Setiausaha Sulit Kanan kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong memaklumkan penggunaan nama rasmi bagi Raja Permaisuri Agong ialah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah" (in Malay). Harian Metro. 31 January 2024.
  22. ^ "His Majesty's consort's official title would be Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia". Bernama. New Straits Times. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  23. ^ Azmi, Hadi [@amerhadiazmi] (31 January 2024). "According to Istana Negara, the Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong are to be officially referred to as King and Queen of Malaysia. Foreign press has often referred to the positions as such for the benefit of our foreign audience, but I think this is first time it's made official?" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "Tunku Ismail heads 83 award recipients". New Straits Times. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  25. ^ "TMJ ketuai senarai 83 penerima anugerah Sultan Johor" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  26. ^ "TMJ dahului 83 penerima pingat darjah kebesaran Johor" (in Malay). Harian Metro. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  27. ^ "King,Queen Conferred Highest Federal Awards". Bernama. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  28. ^ "YANG DI-PERTUAN AGONG DAN RAJA PERMAISURI AGONG DIPERSEMBAHKAN DARJAH KEBESARAN PERSEKUTUAN". @officialsultanibrahim via Instagram (in Malay). 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Queen receives Perak award". The Star. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  30. ^ Nottingham
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Raja Zarith Sofiah.
Raja Zarith Sofiah
Royal House of Perak (Malacca) by birth
House of Temenggong by marriage
Born: 14 August 1959
Malaysian royalty
Preceded by
Tunku Puan Zanariah
(as Sultanah of Johor)
 Permaisuri of Johor
(Queen consort of Johor)
2010–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Raja Permaisuri Agong
(Queen of Malaysia)
2024–present
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