Choirs from 87 Churches Sing the National MTQ March
SEMARANG — The 31st National Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) currently underway in Semarang, Central Java, has displayed the unique character of this grand gathering of Indonesian Muslims. The event is seen as proof of the long-standing interfaith tolerance that exists in Semarang.
The Mayor of Semarang, Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti, who is herself a Catholic, has been serious about preparing the city she leads as host of the 31st MTQ. Regular cross-sectoral meetings have been held to ensure the best possible results.
In any case, as host, the City of Semarang wishes to deliver its very best. Although hierarchically, support from the central government and the Central Java provincial government has been highly significant.
Notably, according to the latest Tolerant City Index (IKT) 2025 report released by the SETARA Institute, Semarang has succeeded in maintaining its position at third place nationally, with an index score of 6.160.
The measurement involved 94 cities across Indonesia to assess how local governments and their communities manage diversity, religious freedom, and social inclusion. The assessment is based on four main variables: city government regulations, concrete government actions, social regulation, and religious demographics.
The 31st National MTQ also featured a choir comprising members from 87 churches to enliven the opening ceremony. Among them were members of various faith communities, including Sunday School teachers and representatives of Catholic parishes, who stood together with Buddhist viharas, Hindu temples and Chinese temples to sing the National MTQ March.
Semarang also set a MURI (Indonesian Record Museum) record for the largest number of participants singing the MTQ March at the opening of the National MTQ. A total of 24,957 participants attended at the Pancasila Field in Simpang Lima, Semarang, while another 263,262 participants joined online from schools (primary, junior high, senior high and vocational) as well as institutions across the city.
The record-breaking feat involved not only Muslims but also 10,867 residents of other faiths — Christian, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and Confucian.
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi could not hide his pride. He stated that 14 governors and seven deputy governors attended the opening ceremony. These included the governors of East Kalimantan, East Java, West Sumatra, the Riau Islands, Jambi, Bengkulu, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, North Maluku, Southwest Papua and Central Java.