The Late Raja Nor Mahani, Raja Puan Besar Perak, a People-Centric Royal
On Tuesday, October 3, 2017, the leadership and people of Perak were saddened by the passing of Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Puan Besar Perak Raja Nor Mahani Binti Almarhum Raja Shahar Shah.
Raja Nor Mahani was well-known for her deep concern for the people and was often seen gracing events involving communities across the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan. Born on October 18, 1942, she was the eldest daughter of Raja Haji Shahar Shah Bin Raja Kechil Sulong Harun Al-Rashid and Che Yang Sharifah Binti Toh Muda Lope Abdul Rahman. The late Raja Nor Mahani received her early education at Sekolah Raja Chulan in Ipoh and was a former student of St. John Institution in Kuala Lumpur and Kolej Tunku Kurshiah, Negeri Sembilan, before pursuing her studies at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
Raja Nor Mahani presenting a donation
The late royal was wed to
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Muda Perak Darul Ridzuan Raja Dato' Seri Jaafar Ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa
in 1970, and the royal couple was blessed with a son, Raja Shah Azman, and a daughter, Raja Nor Azwina.
Raja Nor Mahani was bestowed the title Raja Puan Muda Perak when her husband, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, was declared Raja Di-Hilir Perak in 1998. Later, Raja Nor Mahani was proclaimed Raja Puan Besar Perak on July 1, 2014, before the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar. Her involvement in community work was unparalleled. She was deeply concerned with the problems of the people and the environment. Regarding the conservation of the Perak River, for instance, she emphasized the issue of protecting the river from being polluted by irresponsible parties. It was this concern for the river, which serves as a symbol of Perak, that inspired her to write a book titled 'Silver Waters' as a guide for the preservation and conservation of the river.
She also wrote the book 'Warisan Santapan Darul Ridzuan', a 137-page publication by Qalam Seri Ridzuaniah Sdn Bhd in 1999, to preserve traditional Perak recipes from being lost to time. Raja Nor Mahani was also a former Deputy President of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia and was always enthusiastic about supporting the association's programs and fulfilling her duties in presenting donations to pediatric patients.
The remains of the late Raja Puan Besar Perak being transported using the Royal Carriage
She also participated in grassroots programs with association members and was active in forest reserve conservation programs in the country. She served for seven years in the association, and four days ago marked her final day serving as the Deputy President of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia. The late Raja Nor Mahani passed away at the age of 75 at 5:07 PM, before her remains were brought home and laid in state at Istana Ar-Ridzuan, Jalan Raja Di Hilir, Ipoh.
Raja Muda Jaafar sprinkling rose water on his wife's grave
The remains were then taken to Masjid Ubudiah, arriving at 3:10 PM today on the special 'Seraja Diraja' carriage from the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery for funeral prayers before burial. The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, led the tradition of scattering rose petals and sprinkling rose water, followed by the Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim; Raja Jaafar; the Raja Dihilir Perak, the Raja Puan Muda Perak, state dignitaries, and the public. Orangperak.com extends our deepest condolences to
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Muda Perak Darul Ridzuan Raja Dato' Seri Jaafar Ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa
, the entire royal family, and the people of Perak Darul Ridzuan on the passing of the late Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Puan Besar Perak Raja Nor Mahani Binti Almarhum Raja Shahar Shah. May Allah place her soul among the faithful. Al-Fatihah.
