Eighth National KORPRI Quran Recitation Competition Opens, Makassar Mayor Highlights Economic Impact

The eighth National Quran Recitation Competition (MTQ) of the Indonesian Civil Service Corps (KORPRI) for 2026 officially opened at Karebosi Field in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday evening (24/8). The opening was conducted by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, following a parade of delegations from various provinces, ministries, and institutions.

Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin welcomed the trust placed in Makassar as host of the eighth National KORPRI MTQ. He viewed the trust as recognition of South Sulawesi’s readiness to hold a national-scale event.

“This is a trust given to Makassar City to host the KORPRI MTQ. This is a blessing for the people of Makassar who have been entrusted to be the host,” he said in a written statement on Tuesday (25/8).

Makassar is hosting the National KORPRI MTQ for the second time, having previously been the venue for the event’s inaugural edition.

The 2026 National KORPRI MTQ is being attended by 117 delegations, comprising 38 provinces and 79 delegations from ministries and institutions. The total number of participants in the event is around 1,157 people.

The opening featured a number of performances with religious, cultural, and local South Sulawesi wisdom themes. Thousands of participants and invited guests witnessed the event, which brought together civil servants from across Indonesia.

Munafri assessed that the presence of thousands of participants, delegations, male and female Quran reciters, accompanying officials, and guests from various regions brings its own blessing to Makassar. According to him, the arrival of participants not only brings religious outreach but also impacts the community’s economic activity.

“Approximately 2,000 participants and guests, including male and female Quran reciters and delegations sent from various regions and institutions attending this MTQ, have an impact on economic turnover. Of course, this is a very great blessing for the people of Makassar,” he added.

Munafri said the holding of the eighth National KORPRI MTQ has the potential to become a new economic magnet for Makassar during the event. The movement of thousands of people from various regions is expected to boost activity in a number of sectors, from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), culinary businesses, hospitality, to tourism.

He expressed hope that the national event would not only have an impact on the religious aspect and strengthening the values of the Quran, but also be able to drive economic turnover at the community level.

“With the presence of these guests, besides reciting the holy verses of the Quran every day, from an economic perspective it will certainly provide no small benefit to this city,” he explained.

Munafri stressed that the Makassar City Government will provide maximum service during the eighth National KORPRI MTQ. All regional apparatus have been asked to ensure the city’s readiness, covering services, cleanliness, security, transportation, and hospitality for guests.

He said this readiness also serves as proof of the Makassar City Government’s consistency in welcoming every guest as well as possible, as has been pursued in various major events.

Munafri hopes the holding of the eighth National KORPRI MTQ will further strengthen Makassar’s image as a city that consistently proves capable of hosting large-scale events, whether at local, national, or international level.

In addition, he also hopes that South Sulawesi representatives competing in the eighth National KORPRI MTQ can achieve the best results. He noted that there are a number of participants representing South Sulawesi in various contested categories.

“There are several representing the province. So, let us pray together that our male and female Quran reciters can achieve the best results and bring a good name to KORPRI, especially KORPRI South Sulawesi and Makassar City,” Munafri hoped.

After the opening, the 2026 National KORPRI MTQ in Makassar will continue with a series of competitions in various categories contested by civil servants from across Indonesia.

Besides being a competition and Quran outreach event, the activity is expected to strengthen ties among government officials while reinforcing the values of integrity, professionalism, and dedication of civil servants to the public.

For Makassar, hosting the eighth National KORPRI MTQ is an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity as a host city for national events, prioritising service, hospitality, and the region’s economic and tourism potential.

“Moreover, with the presence of thousands of delegations and guests from across Indonesia, the 2026 National KORPRI MTQ provides a tangible impact on the community and economy of Makassar,” Munafri concluded.

A number of officials attended the opening and the release of delegation representatives, including the General Chair of the National KORPRI Board of Management, who is also Head of the National Civil Service Agency, Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, and South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman.

Also present were Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin, Chair of the Makassar City PKK Melinda Aksa, Deputy Mayor of Makassar Aliyah Mustika Ilham, and Chair of Makassar City KORPRI, who is also Makassar City Regional Secretary, Andi Zulkifly Nanda.

Also in attendance were elements of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, including the South Sulawesi Regional Police Chief, the Commander of Military Regional Command XIV/Hasanuddin, members of the South Sulawesi Provincial DPRD and Makassar City DPRD, as well as a number of regional government officials and other invited guests.