Legal luminary passes away

Oman's legal fraternity mourned the demise of Dr Suad bint Mohammed al Lamkiya, the first law graduate of Oman, the world's second Arab female judge and one who inspired women of many generations to stand at par with men in the march of nation-building.

"Suad al Lamkiyah is a national treasure; an inspirational daughter of Oman," remembers Dr Mohammed al Zadjali, Chairman of Oman Lawyers Association, adding, "We send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends and join the dear and near ones in their grief."

Omani Lawyers Association had honoured her as the first female lawyer in the Sultanate, on Omani Women's Day in 2020. She was considered the first legal adviser in the Sultanate and the first lawyer as well, and the first female public prosecutor, who studied law outside the Sultanate, in Ireland, in 1959.

"She was more than a lawyer, a human who felt for the less-privileged and poor people," Dr Asyah al Bualy, Senior Adviser for Cultural Sciences at the Council for Scientific Research, remembers her aunt.

Suad had a very disciplined and resolute childhood in education, based on religious schools, besides schools like St Joseph Convent School in Zanzibar, then the American School in Ghamra in Cairo, and followed by the well-known Alexandria College. She was honoured by the Ministry of Legal Affairs on Omani Women's Day in 2014.

"Suad was a person we always wanted to emulate and the whole family was proud of her, for the legacy set by our grandfathers who gave much importance to education as a way to progress. She was the second woman to occupy the position of the judiciary in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and the first Omani woman to occupy the position of Legal Adviser “Senior Adviser (A)” at the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Al Lamkiya graduated in Law in 1964 from the prestigious School of Law at Trinity College Dublin, the oldest established law school in Ireland. She was Oman’s 1st female lawyer, legal adviser, and the world’s 2nd Arab female appointed Judge (Dar es Salaam).

"The death of Suad al Lamki leaves a big vacuum not only in Oman's legal world but in the humanitarian efforts scene as well," remembers Khamis al Abri, lawyer.

Keeping her legacy alive, her son Nasser al Riyami is a Master of Law and was the Assistant Attorney General, Director General of Public Prosecution for North al Batinah Governorate. After serving the Royal Oman Police (ROP), and Public Prosecution for 32 years, Nasser was immediately offered a position as an expert by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for GCC countries. As an expert, he is doing many training sessions for Judges, public prosecutor and police officers on Anti-Human Trafficking Law, and best practices recognised by UNODC in the field. Also, Nasser is working as a legal adviser and partner with Al Khalili, Al Ghailani and Co. law firm.

Suad's daughter, Aasiya al Riyamiyah, is a specialist in geographic information systems at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources.