Ministry of Religious Affairs Holds Milfest to Boost Literacy and Quranic Education
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) is holding the Muharram Islamic Literacy Festival (Milfest) at the Quran Printing Unit (UPQ) in Ciawi, Bogor, West Java, featuring a wide range of literacy activities, social services, community economic empowerment, and Quranic educational tourism.
Director General of Islamic Community Guidance (Bimas Islam) at the Ministry, Abu Rokhmad, said Milfest forms part of a series of events marking the Islamic New Year of 1448 Hijri. According to him, the festival represents the Ministry’s effort to foster the spirit of hijrah through strengthening a culture of literacy.
“Literacy is not merely the ability to read and write, but also the ability to understand, process, and filter information and knowledge so that it becomes something productive,” said Abu Rokhmad in Ciawi on Thursday.
The event, running from Thursday (30 July 2026) to 2 August 2026, aligns with the instruction of Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar that every Ministry programme should deliver tangible benefits to society.
Abu Rokhmad noted that literacy relates not only to reading and writing skills, but also to critical thinking, so that people can respond wisely to the torrent of information.
“Through the spirit of Muharram, we want to continue encouraging a culture of reading, writing, and critical thinking, so that society becomes more intelligent in facing the flood of information. In this way, the public will not be easily influenced by false information,” he said.
During the festival, visitors can take part in book exhibitions, book reviews, and meet-the-author sessions, seminars, talk shows, an MSME bazaar, blood donation, free health checks (CKG), a Quran endowment programme, and various Islamic competitions for children, such as Quran memorisation, the call to prayer, young preachers, and calligraphy.
Milfest also features literacy sessions for prospective new university students on higher education scholarship information, a Literary Podium showcasing poetry and short story readings, and an Islamic Fashion Show.
According to Abu Rokhmad, the MSME bazaar, involving businesses mentored by the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) and the general public, forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to support the strengthening of the community’s economy.
“We hope activities like this can become a regular agenda, and if possible be held every weekend, so that the Ministry of Religious Affairs grows closer to and better known by the public,” he said.