MANAMA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, received a state welcoming ceremony on Thursday (Nov 6) at Sakhir Palace during his three-day state visit to Bahrain.
Upon arrival, Sultan Ibrahim and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain were greeted by Bahraini students waving Malaysian and Bahraini flags.
Their Majesties witnessed the 'Ardah', a traditional Bahraini welcoming performance, before proceeding to the Podium of Honour, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.
Joining them on the podium were their sons: Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj, Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj, and Crown Prince Salman Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the Prime Minister of Bahrain.
The national anthems of both countries were played, after which Their Majesties moved to the Red Brief Council Room for an official meeting.
Located in the Southern Governorate near Zallaq and the University of Bahrain, Sakhir Palace is one of the country's most distinguished royal residences. Constructed between 1870 and 1901, it was historically the residence of Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, ruler of Bahrain from 1932 to 1942.
Following the meeting, Sultan Ibrahim visited the Martyrs' Memorial Monument, a significant site in Bahrain's history, located near Sakhir Palace. Upon arrival, His Majesty was escorted to the Royal Podium before proceeding to the monument. A reciter read Surah al-Fatihah, followed by a prayer.
Sultan Ibrahim then performed the symbolic pouring of water near the monument, marking the conclusion of the ceremony.
Earlier, the special aircraft carrying His Majesty arrived at Sakhir Air Base at 3.40pm (8.40pm Malaysian time).
Accompanying His Majesty on the visit are Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani.
Sultan Ibrahim was accorded a red carpet welcome upon arrival and was received by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; Crown Prince Salman Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the Prime Minister of Bahrain; Commander of the National Guard Sheikh Mohammed Isa Al Khalifa; and other Bahraini princes at the tarmac.
Present to welcome Sultan Ibrahim were His Majesty's sons - Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al- Haj.
Also present were Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, Malaysia's ambassador to Bahrain Datuk Shazryll Zahiran, Chief of Government Ceremonies in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Rozainor Ramli and the Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini.
Sultan Ibrahim was presented with a bouquet of flowers by two little girls before walking with his princes past a guard-of-honour, where he was greeted by dignitaries from both Malaysia and Bahrain.
Sultan Ibrahim and his princes later departed for the Sakhir Palace in Zallaq for a state welcoming ceremony hosted by King Hamad.
This state visit to Bahrain is the sixth undertaken by Sultan Ibrahim, following visits to Singapore, China, Brunei, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain is a key trading partner for Malaysia in Western Asia, ranking as Malaysia's ninth-largest trading partner, 11th-largest export destination, and eighth-largest import source among West Asian countries. – Bernama
