Kosovo president visits Pak Lah's grave

The Star

04-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu visited the Warriors' Mausoleum, where former Malaysian prime ministers and other national leaders are laid to rest, as part of her four-day official visit to Malaysia.
Osmani also visited the grave of Malaysia's fifth prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who passed away on April 14.
She was accompanied by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, the minister in attendance.
Also present were the late Abdullah's son Kamaluddin and daughter Nori.
The visit symbolised Kosovo's gratitude for Malaysia's steadfast support during its state-building journey, particularly under Abdullah's leadership, and highlighted the shared values of peace, unity and mutual respect between the two nations.
On Friday, Osmani posthumously awarded Abdullah Kosovo's highest state honour, the Order of Independence, in recognition of his dedication to peace and freedom in Kosovo, as well as his unwavering support for the country's independence and state-building efforts.
The award was received by Abdullah's son-in-law and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Bernama reported.
In quiet reflection: Osmani (seated third from left) offering prayers during her visit to Abdullah's grave. Also present are (from left): Nori, Fadhlina and Kamaluddin. — Bernama
Earlier, Osmani visited the National Mosque and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, underscoring the cultural significance of Kosovo's engagement with Malaysia.
During the museum visit, she explored the gallery titled Oceans That Speak: Islam and the Emergence of the Malay World, which highlights the spread of Islam across maritime South-East Asia, and its cultural and civilisational impact on the Malay archipelago.
The National Mosque is a key symbol of Malaysia's religious and national identity, while the museum, established in 1998, is the largest in South-East Asia.
The cultural programme formed part of her broader agenda to strengthen bilateral relations, which included the official opening of the Kosovo Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and high-level discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
During a joint press conference, both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in key areas such as trade, education, tourism and culture, while also enhancing people-to-people ties through student exchanges and university partnerships.
Malaysia officially recognised Kosovo on Oct 30, 2008, becoming one of the first Asian countries to do so, with diplomatic relations formally established on March 18, 2011.