The Sultan of Johor's Birthday is a public holiday in the Malaysian state of Johor. It is a significant event in the state, marked by official ceremonies, cultural celebrations, and public festivities.

Table of Contents

1. When is the Sultan of Johor's Birthday?
2. The History of the Sultan of Johor's Birthday?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. The History of Johor

When is the Sultan of Johor's Birthday?

The Sultan of Johor's Birthday is observed annually to celebrate the birthday of the reigning Sultan, and it is observed on March 23 each year.

The following is the list of the Sultan of Johor's Birthday from 2020 to 2049.

The History of the Sultan of Johor's Birthday

The Sultan of Johor's Birthday has a long tradition of being celebrated as a tribute to the reigning Sultan of Johor, recognizing his contributions to the welfare and development of the state.

The Sultanate of Johor was established in 1528 by Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II, the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of the Malacca Sultanate. This made the Johor Sultanate one of the oldest surviving Malay sultanates.

The tradition of celebrating the Sultan's birthday dates back centuries as part of royal customs in Malay states.

The celebration of the Sultan of Johor's birthday became an annual tradition in the modern era as a public holiday, allowing the people of Johor to express their loyalty and respect for the Sultan.

During the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, the celebration is observed on March 23. Sultan Ibrahim ascended the throne on January 23, 2010, succeeding his father, Sultan Iskandar.

What Do People Do on This Day?

The Sultan bestows titles, medals and honors to citizens and officials who have made significant contributions to the state. These ceremonies take place in the royal palace or other prominent venues.

Mosques across Johor hold special prayers for the Sultan's health, prosperity and long reign.

Inspired by Islamic values, acts of charity are encouraged, and donations are made to support the underprivileged. The Sultan and royal family often lead charitable initiatives, such as visiting hospitals, orphanages or elderly care homes. Free meals or aid distributions are organized for the community.

Johor's cities and towns are decorated with flags, lights, and banners featuring the Sultan's image and royal emblems. Public buildings and homes display decorations to mark the occasion.

The day is a public holiday in Johor, allowing families to spend time together and participate in festivities. Many families visit local attractions or participate in community events.

The History of Johor

The Johor Sultanate was established by Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II, the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last ruler of the Malacca Sultanate.

After the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese in 1511, the royal family fled south and established a new kingdom in Johor.

The Sultanate continued the legacy of Malacca, serving as a major center for trade and Islamic learning. Johor became a prominent trading hub due to its position near the Straits of Malacca.

In the 17th century, Johor allied with the Dutch to oust the Portuguese from Malacca in 1641, strengthening its regional influence.

By the 18th century, people from Indonesia became influential in Johor's politics. They served as warriors and administrators, significantly shaping Johor's governance.

In the 19th century, Sultan Abu Bakar adopted Western-style governance while preserving Malay traditions, earning widespread respect.

Although Johor maintained relative autonomy compared to other Malay states, it entered into treaties with the British for protection. By 1914, Johor came under British indirect rule through a Resident Advisor.

During World War II, Johor fell under Japanese occupation, like the rest of Malaya. After World War II, Johor joined efforts to resist the Malayan Union, a British plan that threatened Malay sovereignty.

Johor became part of the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and later joined Malaysia upon its formation in 1963. Today, Johor is one of Malaysia's most developed states with significant contributions to the national economy.