Mendes backs coaching of qori from villages in Serang Regency

Insha Allah, if the Qur’anic understanding is good, and the village communities are cohesive and have sound religious understanding, I think those villages will advance. Serang: The Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, has backed the coaching of the Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) delegation from Serang Regency as a tangible step in eradicating Qur’anic illiteracy at village level.

He made the remarks when inspecting the Training Centre (TC) of the Lembaga Pengembangan Tilawatil Qur’an (LPTQ) in Serang Regency, at Pondok Pesantren Bai Mahdi Soleh Ma’mun, Sindangheula Village, Pabuaran District, on Saturday.

“I think this aligns with the ministry’s programme, which has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, including efforts to eradicate Qur’anic illiteracy at the village level while also providing coaching,” said Yandri.

The TC activity aims to select the 65 best participants from five zones to be prepared as prospective members of the delegation that will represent Serang Regency at MTQ’s 23rd Provincial Level in Banten in July 2026.

Yandri praised the coaching of qori and qoriah. Personally and in his capacity as minister, he said he is prepared to give full support, including material assistance, facilities, and spiritual backing.

“Insha Allah, if the Qur’anic understanding is good, the people in their villages are cohesive and have good religious understanding, I think these villages will advance,” he said.

He added that Serang Regency has the potential and a long history of producing top qori-qoriah in Indonesia, notably through the track record of local ulama such as KH. Tubagus Soleh Ma’mun. He hopes this history can be preserved so that Serang can become a centre or beacon of the Qur’an in Indonesia.

“I have no doubt that villages in Serang can yield outstanding talents because the foundation already exists. Continuity must be realised through coaching,” Yandri stated.

Meanwhile, Serang Regent Ratu Rachmatuzakiyah expressed the highest appreciation for the minister’s presence and support in preparing for MTQ at the Provincial Level in Banten.

“Certainly, the minister’s presence provides direct support, including by providing facilities where we can conduct coaching,” she said.

Present at the event were the Acting Chair of the LPTQ Provincial of Banten, Soleh Hidayat; the Chair of LPTQ Serang Regency, Budi Haryadi; senior officials and district heads within the Serang Regency Government; and LPTQ administrators from across Serang Regency.