Che Puan Besar Kalsom Abdullah
| Kalsom كلثوم | |
|---|---|
| Che Puan Besar of Pahang[1] | |
| Tenure | 15 August 2019 – present |
| Predecessor | Tengku Ampuan Besar Raja Fatimah (as Tengku Ampuan Besar) |
| Sultanah of Pahang | |
| Tenure | 30 September 1992 – 11 January 2019 |
| Predecessor | Tengku Ampuan Afzan (as Tengku Ampuan) |
| Successor | Tengku Ampuan Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (as Tengku Ampuan) |
| Born | 12 September 1951 Taftan, Baluchistan, Dominion of Pakistan |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Tengku Fahad Mua'adzam Shah |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Che Puan Besar Kalsom, the Che Puan Besar and stepmother of the Sultan
|
Che Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom Abdullah (Jawi: چئ ڤوان بسر حاجه كلثوم عبدالله), formerly known as Sultanah Kalsom (née Anita; born 12 September 1951 in Taftan, Baluchistan, Dominion of Pakistan) is the former Sultanah of Pahang as the second wife of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.[2] She is of Persian and Pakistani descent.
Early life
She was born on 12 September 1951 in Taftan, Baluchistan, Dominion of Pakistan.
Prior to her marriage, she was an air stewardess for a prominent airline.
Personal life
She and the Sultan have a son together Tengku Fahad Mua'adzam Shah, the Tengku Arif Temenggong of Pahang.[2][3]
Titles and styles
After marrying with Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang on 14 March 1991, she was then styled as Che Puan Kalsom Abdullah on the day of her marriage.
On 30 September 1992, Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom Abdullah was proclaimed the title of Her Royal Highness Sultanah of Pahang.
After her husband's death on 22 May 2019, her stepson Al-Sultan Abdullah bestowed upon her the title of Her Highness Che Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom Abdullah on 15 August 2019. The title of Che Puan Besar (equivalent to Queen dowager) is for a commoner who becomes the widow of the late Sultan.[4]
Contributions
Che Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom has been active with social causes and is a patron of numerous organisations, lending her presence to inspire those engaged in managing these organisations.
Yayasan Sri Kencana Kalsom
The Yayasan Sri Kencana Kalsom, named after her, provides shelter for single parents as well as women who have been victims of domestic abuse. The Yayasan helps these women rebuild their lives finding them jobs that enable them to be independent and lead their lives with dignity.
OrphanCARE
She is also Patron of OrphanCARE Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims in getting orphans adopted. OrphanCARE also set up Malaysia's first baby hatch for mothers to anonymously leave their unwanted newborns to be put up for adoption. She has given her full support to the organisation which has the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development as its smart partner.
Soroptimist Club of Kuantan
As Patron of the Soroptimist Club of Kuantan, a gathering of professional women who pool their talents to assist the needy, Che Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom works closely to guide the movement with her strong views on empowerment. Her concern for women stems from her personal philosophy that dreams must be pursued to the fullest and that women must be given every opportunity to realise their talents.
The Sorority
Che Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom is also an Honorary Member of The Sorority, an exclusive members-only club for inspiring professional women based in London, is considered an iconic inspirational woman who represents the modern, professional woman who is shaping the future with individual style and expression.
Kiwanis Club of Kuantan
Che Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom has been the patron of the Kiwanis Club of Kuantan since 2004.[5][6]
Honours and recognitions
Honour of Pahang
Pahang :
Member 1st class of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (DK I) (24 October 1999)
Honorary doctorate
Malaysia :
- Honorary Doctorate of Social Development from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology - (18 December 2010)[7]
Places named after her
Several places were named after her, including:
- Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom in Cameron Highlands, Pahang
- Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom, a secondary school in Kuantan, Pahang
- Rumah Kanak-kanak Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom, an orphanage home in Kuantan, Pahang
References
- ^ "The Pahang State Secretary's Office today announced new honorifics for the Royal family". The Sun Daily. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Malaysian Monarchy: His and Her Majesty - Yang di-Pertuan Agong VII (The Sultan of Pahang)". Archived from the original on 12 April 2005. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
- ^ HighBeam: New Straits Times - Pleasant surprise for Sultan Ahmad Shah
- ^ "Pursuant to the announcement, Sultanah Kalsom will be known as Cik Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom Abdullah". New Straits Times. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ Mind: Those with Down Syndrome learn to gain employment
- ^ "Kiwanis Malaysia: Breaking News - DYMM Sultanah Pahang Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom is the Patron of the Kiwanis Club of Kuantan". Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
- ^ "DYMM Sultanah Pahang Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom DK | Leaders | Limkokwing University of Creative Technology". Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
