Tunku Azizah Honoured With The 2019 Craft Icon Of The Year Award

Our Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, has been honoured with the 2019 Craft Icon of the Year award by the World Crafts Council (WCC).

Bernama reported that our queen was chosen for the award because of her contributions in keeping the traditional craft heritage alive.

The award would be presented during the 2019 Third International Craft Awards (ICA) taking place in GMR Aerocity, New Delhi on 7 December.

Since 2006, Tunku Azizah has been actively promoting traditional crafts, including the Tenun Pahang (Pahang Weave).

Interestingly, it was the material that was used to make the attire she wore at the Installation Ceremony of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara on 30 July.

In fact, her efforts to uphold Tenun Pahang led to the rebranding of the fabric, from Tenun Pahang to Tenun Pahang Diraja on 8 May 2006.

"I champion traditional handmade crafts and do not support weavings and making songket and batik using machines.

"We must defend our national handiwork products which are so fine, beautiful and time consuming, including mats, embroidery, ’kerikam’, vase, rattan and ‘baju kurung," she tweeted.

Her efforts in preserving handmade crafts has reportedly created 200 weavers around Pekan.

Tunku Azizah also consented to the weavings of the Royal Pahang fabric by male inmates at the Penor and Bentong Prisons.

With so much passion for the craft, she’s indeed a fitting choice for the award! Congratulations, Tunku Azizah.