MANAMA: The King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, last night hosted His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at a state banquet in the Sakhir Palace.
The evening event began with a closed session specifically for the royal family at 7.30pm (12.30am Malaysia).
Also accompanying Sultan Ibrahim were 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.
The banquet was also attended by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani, Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, and Malaysian ambassador to Bahrain Datuk Shazryll Zahiran.
The official proceedings of the night included a recitation of verses from the Quran in the State Council Room, followed by addresses by King Hamad and Sultan Ibrahim.
Sultan Ibrahim arrived here on Thursday after concluding a four-day state visit to Saudi Arabia.
This marks Sultan Ibrahim’s sixth state visit after Singapore, China, Brunei, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, and also signifies a historic moment in Malaysia–Bahrain relations as the first royal visit since 1974.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
