International Qur'an Competition Champion Performs at Presidential Palace; Prabowo Commends Achievement

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto commended Muhammad Zian Fahrezi, the champion in the Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an category at the 3rd International Al-Ameed Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Karbala, for his performance during the Nuzulul Qur’an commemoration at the State Palace on Tuesday evening.

Zian performed before President Prabowo Subianto and hundreds of invited guests, reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an, specifically Surah Al-Hasyr verses 21 to 24.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to young Muhammad Zian Fahrezi, eleven years old, the first-place champion of the Qur’anic recitation competition in Iran, right? In 2026,” the President said in his remarks.

The recitation of the sacred verses by Zian at the beginning of the event visibly moved the invited guests, including House of Regional Representatives (DPD) Chairman Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, who recited the same verses with reverence.

The recitation was accompanied by melodious accompaniment by Velly Syukron from RRI Jakarta.

At just eleven years old, Zian Fahrezi has already made his mark on the international stage as a champion. The fourth-grader from Bima City, West Nusa Tenggara, successfully won the children’s category at the 3rd International Al-Ameed Qur’anic Recitation Competition held in Karbala, Iraq in 2026.

According to various sources, Zian was born into a legendary family of Qur’anic reciters in Bima. The gift for Qur’anic recitation flows strongly from his great-grandfather, the late Kiai Haji Abubakar Husein, and his grandfather, TGH Ramli Ahmad, both of whom were international Qur’anic reciters of renown.

This talented legacy was subsequently carried forward by his father, Ustadz Ahmad Azka Fuad, who is a national champion.

His performance in Karbala impressed the international judging panel through his stable breathing technique and melodious recitation style.

In recognition of this achievement, the President specifically requested that Zian meet with him after the event concluded.

“I would like you to come and see me after this event, young Muhammad Zian Fahrezi,” the President said.

After the event, the President also approached Zian and presented him with a special gift. The President displayed his pride by embracing and stroking Zian’s head as a gesture of appreciation for the accomplishment he had achieved.