MTQN 2015 HOLDS AL-QURAN DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE FIRST TIME

Salman Amrillah, MTQMN 2013 category winners recitations of the Koran being recited Surah Al Hujurat paragraph 13 in the Hall of UI, Saturday (1/8) night. (Photo: Chamid / MINA)

Depok, 18 Shawwal 1436/3 August 2015 (MINA) – The 14th National Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran for Students (MTQMN) for the first time has included the competition of Al-Quran computer application design.

MTQMN Chairman Committee and Director of Student Affairs, University of Indonesia (UI), Arman Nephi, said the idea of the competition came from the UI because of the magnitude of innovation and technological development of Indonesian youth today.

“Well, we need to explore that potential. We gave them a forum to channel their skills through this competition,” Arman told Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) at the end of the opening MTQMN, Saturday (1/8) night.

Arman went on, he also did not expect the enthusiasm of the participants would be high enough for the category. “The number of applicants is beyond our expectations,” he said.

Arman’s statement is not without a reason. Initially, the committee only opened 30 participants. However, because the number of participants were higher, the committee finally added four seats. “So they all participated. This is at its best. This Means in total there were 34 participants for that category, “said Arman.

According to Arman, this year’s MTQMN was the largest in number. A total of 167 public and private colleges participate with as many as 1,863 participants represented. Earlier, on average, participants only reached 1,400 coming from 125 universities.

This year’s MTQMN will also be enlivened by performing arts and cultures of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Malaysia. “They will hold stage events in their support for six days from August 2 to 7,” said Arman.

Arman also hopes the show can tighten the relationship among students throughout Indonesia. “Our main goal in this event is not the competition, but the realization of ukhuwah Islamiyah. We are gathered here in order to spread the religion,” said Arman.

Head of Public Relations Of UI MTQMN Dewi Astuti also hopes this event will run smoothly as two years earlier. “Hopefully there are no obstacles,” Dewi told MINA. (L/P010/NMT/R04)