President Jokowi Opens 28th MTQ Virtually
President Jokowi opens the 28th National Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) of 2020 virtually, Saturday (14/11). (Photo by: Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Saturday (14/11), officially opened the 28th National Competition of Qur’an Recital (MTQ), held virtually in Padang City, West Sumatra.
In his remarks, the President said that the holding of the MTQ is a form of strong desire to ground the teachings of the Qur’an and uphold the glory of Islam to strengthen religious values in the joints of community and national life.
“For Muslims, the Qur’an is an actual source of guidance and life guidelines throughout the ages, containing universal noble values that are in line with righteous human nature. The Qur’an invites all human beings to collaborate in piety and kindness,” the President said.
In practicing the Qur’anic teachings, it is fitting for Muslims to imitate the personality of the Prophet Muhammad, a personality with Qur’anic moral dignity that spreads affection and keeps away from words and actions that hurt others. “We all as the people must imitate the moral glory of the Prophet Muhammad,” he added.
The President expressed hope that the participants are ready to participate in a healthy manner, compete for achievements, and contribute to building the quality of human resources that are superior, competitive, and embodiment of Islamic characters.
“Thus, the MTQ is not merely a vehicle for practicing and competing in reading the Qur’an but a way to educate people to love and ground the Qur’an more and more, to increase religious awareness that is more humanist and open, as well as a form of preaching to improve the morals of the Muslim brothers and sisters,” the President said.
President Jokowi also expressed belief that through a better understanding of Islam, it will not only strengthen the identity of a Muslim and Muslimah, but will also strengthen the spirit of brotherhood as taught by the Prophet, be it ukhuwah islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood), ukhuwah wathaniyah (national brotherhood), or ukhuwah insaniyah (brotherhoos among human beings). The spirit of brotherhood and concern for others, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad, must be the spirit of the Indonesian people during the current pandemic.
“We must sincerely help each other, without having to consider the differences in ethnicity, religion or group. Share to ease the burden on our brothers and sisters who are facing difficulties. I believe in the help of Allah, the Most Glorified, the Most High, and our common efforts, the Indonesian people will be able to go through this tough test and recover soon,” the President said.
On this occasion, the President also congratulated and thanked the local government and the people of West Sumatra for their hospitality, warmth, and enthusiasm on the holding of the MTQ. (BPMI/UN)
Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Mia M. Bonaedy
