President Jokowi Receives International MTQ Champion

Syamsuri, the first winner of International Quran Recital Competition (MTQ) in Turkey, shakes President Jokowi’s hand at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (28/5). (Photo by: PR/Oji)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday (28/5) received Syamsuri Firdaus, a qari (Quran reciter) from Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province who won first place in Quran recital at the 7th International Quran Recital Competition  (MTQ)  on  20-25 May in Istanbul, Turkey.

During the meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, the President was enthusiastically hearing Syamsuri’s experience during the competition.

“Alhamdulillah, I feel touched as well as happy. Thank God, I was able to meet with President Erdogan and especially now I meet with President Jokowi,” Syamsuri said.

On the occasion, President Jokowi advised him and other contestants from Indonesia to maintain the spirit and to improve their achievements, particularly the spirit to spread the Quran values for future generations.

When asking about tips to win the competition, Syamsuri explained that he began learning Quran recital since elementary school and practices daily. (FID/OJI/ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Estu Widyamurti, Mia M. Bonaedy