EVEN with the demands of her national duties as Queen of Malaysia, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah has never set aside one of her most personal passions – writing.
Alongside her responsibilities with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, the Queen continues to find time to pen thoughtful reflections on culture, family, education and society.
Her Majesty often shares her writings publicly through her personal website, www.zarithidris.com and on Sultan Ibrahim’s official social media accounts.
Her writing, which is elegant yet personal, has offered Malaysians a rare glimpse into the mind of a royal who is equally comfortable on the world stage and behind a keyboard.
The Queen’s latest post, titled “Rahmat, Uzbekistan!”, was published on May 7 following her special visit to the Central Asian nation.
In the touching essay, the Queen reflected on discovering the beauty of Central Asia and admitted that, like many others, Her Majesty had previously been more familiar with travelling to Western countries.
The Queen wrote warmly about the hospitality of the Uzbek people, describing the country as “super clean” and filled with flowers, parks and artistic treasures.
Her Majesty also spoke of being captivated by the beautiful craftsmanship found in the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand, from hand-painted wooden boxes to thoughtfully embroidered robes.
Describing her visit to the Centre for Islamic Civilisation (CIC) in Tashkent as an unforgettable experience, the Queen also recalled being left “breathless” by the architectural beauty of Registan Square in Samarkand, particularly the intricate details of its mosques and madrasahs.
“I paint a little and felt very humbled to see the artistry and skills of all the artisans who had built the buildings and its surroundings,” Her Majesty wrote.
Raja Zarith Sofiah ended the essay by thanking the people of Uzbekistan for preserving Islamic history and knowledge for future generations.
The post quickly drew praise from social media users, many of whom said Her Majesty’s vivid descriptions made them feel as though they had travelled alongside her.
The Uzbekistan trip also highlighted Her Majesty’s long-standing commitment to education, where, in her capacity as Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Raja Zarith Sofiah delivered a royal address at a conference titled Scientific Traditions in Islamic Civilisation: Sources, Potential and Challenges at the CIC.
Her reflections on travel are only one part of her writing portfolio. In February, Her Majesty penned a post reflecting on Malaysia’s multicultural harmony.
The Queen wrote about how Malaysians often take for granted the sight of festive decorations for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas coexisting in public spaces.
The post was inspired partly by visits to public housing flats, where the Queen observed how Malaysians of different races and faiths lived comfortably alongside one another.
Raja Zarith Sofiah described Malaysia as a nation with “the warmest smiles and hearts filled with acceptance and respect for each other”.
The Queen’s writings have also addressed more serious concerns such as bullying in schools and universities, calling it an “ugly culture” that must not be ignored.
In a post in August last year, Her Majesty wrote candidly, questioning how many more young lives must be lost before stronger action is taken.
Her advocacy for young people has extended beyond her writing when Her Majesty voiced concern over the dangers children and teenagers face online.
In February this year, Raja Zarith Sofiah warned that digital spaces could become increasingly toxic if left unchecked, and expressed worries about the growing mental health challenges affecting young Malaysians.
According to her biography on Istana Negara’s website, Her Majesty is a prolific writer, having previously written newspaper columns, including Mind Matters for The Star. The Queen also authored four children’s books in 1995.
Her Majesty also inherited her love for painting from her father, the late Sultan Idris Shah II.
Her Majesty has participated in several art exhibitions, including one at the Yayasan Warisan Johor Art Gallery in 2003 and another organised by Maybank in 2004 that honoured three generations of Johor artists.
Raja Zarith Sofiah’s appreciation for art was also evident during a visit to Louvre Abu Dhabi in February, where Her Majesty spent time viewing works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian and Paul Gauguin.
Her keen eye for detail is also reflected in her fashion choices; the Queen often incorporates Johor heritage into her wardrobe for official visits.
During her trip to Uzbekistan, for instance, Raja Zarith Sofiah wore a turquoise Johor woven baju kurung paired with a local Tashkent scarf – a gesture symbolising friendship between the two nations.
Beyond official engagements, Malaysians have also witnessed her warm and approachable nature many times.
Earlier this year, while returning to Johor Baru, Her Majesty stopped outside Istana Negara to greet more than 100 tourists, taking time to shake their hands before continuing her journey.
In January, the Queen also presented certificates of appreciation to 28 students who excelled in international English competitions, reinforcing her long-standing belief in the power of education.
As a mother, Raja Zarith Sofiah is often seen supporting her children at important milestones, including attending the Asian Le Mans Series in Abu Dhabi to cheer on her sons as they competed for Johor Motorsports Racing.
A smiling Raja Zarith Sofiah is also often seen at casual family gatherings alongside Sultan Ibrahim. Despite their busy schedules, the royal couple always make it a point to spend quality family time with their children and grandchildren.
Whether through essays, paintings or advocacy for the underprivileged, Raja Zarith Sofiah has cultivated an image shaped not only by royal duty but also by intellect, creativity and empathy.
And while crowns often symbolise power, Her Majesty’s pen continues to reveal something far rarer – a queen determined to remain deeply connected to the world and people around her.
