Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Opening of the 2020 National MTQ (Virtually) from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Saturday, 14 November 2020
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.
Distinguished, Your Excellencies, the Ulemas;
Distinguished Ministers of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet,
Distinguished Leaders and Members of State Institutions;
Distinguished Governor of West Sumatra Province;
Distinguished, Your Excellencies, Ambassadors of Friendly Countries;
Honorable National MTQ Participants;
Esteemed Guests.
Praise and Gratitude be to Allah, the Most Glorified, the Most High, for His Mercy and Grace, we are given health, strength to remain productive and be able to work to carry out our duties of service to society, the nation, and the country.
The holding of the MTQ (Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an), Qur’an Recital Competition, 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.
In practicing the Qur’anic teachings, it is fitting for Muslims to imitate the personality of the Prophet Muhammad, a personality with the Qur’anic moral dignity that spreads affection and keeps away from words and actions that hurt others. We all as people must imitate the moral glory of the Prophet Muhammad.
Honorable Guests,
In this MTQ, we will witness the best Qur’an Reciters, Qur’an Memorizers, and Qur’an Interpreters from all over Indonesia. The younger generation who are ready to participate in a healthy manner to compete for achievements, contribute to building the quality of human resources that are superior, competitive, and embodiment of Islamic characters, as the morals of the Prophet. 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.
I believe, 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 (brotherhood 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 soon, recover and rise again.
My Esteemed Guests,
On this auspicious occasion, I would like to congratulate and thank the Regional Government and the people of West Sumatra for their hospitality, warmth, enthusiasm in the holding of the 28th National MTQ in 2020.
Best wishes to all participants of the Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an, I hope that your participation will be of benefit, best interest in developing the glory of Islam in the country.
By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially declare the 28th National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an 2020 in Padang City, West Sumatra Province open.
Thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Translated by Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by Mia Medyana B