President Joko Widodo officially opens the 30th National Quran Recitation Competition (MTQ) 2024 held at the Gelora Kadrie Oening Stadium, Samarinda city, East Kalimantan province, Sunday (09/08). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information (BPMI) of the Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Sunday (09/08), officially opened the 30th National Quran Recitation Competition (MTQ) 2024 held at the Gelora Kadrie Oening Stadium, Samarinda city, East Kalimantan province.
Wearing Ta’wo attire (traditional Kutai attire), the President, accompanied by Mrs. Iriana Joko Widodo, arrived at the stadium at around 19.30 Central Indonesia Time.
The President and the First Lady were greeted by enthusiastic applause from the audience, adding to the excitement of the evening’s event.
The President, Mrs. Iriana, and the audience then watched the performance of “Jepen Rempak Rebana”, an energetic and colorful traditional dance from East Kalimantan.
Afterwards, the procession of delegations from 38 provinces throughout Indonesia also captivated the attention of the invited guests. One by one, delegations from Aceh to Southwest Papua walked carrying the flag of the Quran Recitation Development Institution (LPTQ) and each province’s provincial flag, accompanied by a medley of Nusantara songs.
The atmosphere of the evening became even warmer when the talented national singer Putri Ariani sang the Assa’adah salawat (Islamic prayers to pray for Prophet Muhammad). A moment later, the main event began with the national anthem Indonesia Raya (Great Indonesia), followed by the National MTQ March which added to the spirit of unity amidst the solemnity of the evening.
Afterwards, the event continued with the recitation of the holy verses of the Quran by Muhammad Rizqon who recited Surah Al-Mujadalah verse 11, followed by Raudhah who recited Surah Al-Isra verses 9 to 11.
Farah Mahdi closed this session with the recitation of the translation of the verses in Indonesian, presenting the beauty of the messages of the Qur’an in Indonesian.
In his remarks, President Jokowi gave encouragement to all MTQ participants, especially to the Quran reciters, the Quran memorizers, and the Quran interpreters.
The President expressed hope that the participants can show their best abilities in building generations with Quranic morals.
“I wish you great success in competing to show your best abilities and building generations with Quranic morals for the progress of our country, Indonesia,” said the President.
The peak of the event was closed with a colossal dance performance “Kesah Cahaya” which amazed the audience with a combination of dance movements, holographic technology, and light.
It did not stop there as Putri Ariani’s golden voice enlivened the event again with her song, before the Wali Band (an Indonesian popular music band) came to give the finishing touches through their energetic songs. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat/ABD) (TM/EP)
