Indonesia Has Held MTQ at Every Level Since 1968, Religious Affairs Minister Says
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| Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar during the inauguration of the supervisors and judges for the 2026 National MTQ in Semarang. (Red/Ist) |
PEWARTA.CO.ID — Indonesia has consistently organized the Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) from local communities to the national level since 1968, a tradition that Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar says reflects the country's long experience in Quranic competitions.
Nasaruddin made the remarks in Semarang, Central Java, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, when he inaugurated seven Supervisory Board members and 155 judges for the 31st National MTQ, known as MTQ Nasional XXXI Tahun 2026.
The inauguration ceremony included the reading of an oath of office and the presentation of robes to the judges.
MTQ has developed through multiple levels
According to Nasaruddin, Indonesia's experience in organizing MTQ spans more than five decades and has developed through a structured hierarchy, beginning at the neighborhood level and continuing through village, subdistrict, regency, provincial and national competitions.
“No other country has consistently organized MTQ from 1968 to this year, starting at the neighborhood, village, subdistrict, regency, provincial and national levels,” Nasaruddin said in Semarang.
He also pointed to the growing number of institutions and organizations conducting national-level MTQ events. He said the development calls for stronger coordination and greater standardization, particularly in the judging process.
Nasaruddin said national MTQ competitions are no longer organized only by the Lembaga Pengembangan Tilawatil Quran (LPTQ). Nearly 25 national-level MTQ events are now held in Indonesia, including competitions organized by Korpri, the National Police, workers' organizations, universities and state-owned enterprises.
“This is an important phenomenon that needs to be observed,” he said, adding that future national-level MTQ activities should place judging coordination under the LPTQ.
Rising participation reflects interest in the Quran
Nasaruddin said the growing number of MTQ events also demonstrates strong public interest in the Quran and forms part of a broader effort to bring its values into everyday life.
“An emerging phenomenon is the community's love for the Quran. This is part of the process of bringing the Quran into everyday life,” he said.
He added that efforts to make Quranic values part of daily life should also be accompanied by efforts to elevate people's character and conduct.
The Semarang event was attended by Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin, Director General of Islamic Community Guidance and Chairman of the National LPTQ Abu Rokhmad, Secretary of the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance Lubenah, and Director of Islamic Religious Information Muchlis M. Hanafi.
