National MTQ Delegations Begin Arriving in Semarang
Delegations from various regions across Indonesia have begun arriving in the city of Semarang, Central Java, to participate in the 31st National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ), scheduled from 11 to 20 September 2026.
“Alhamdulillah, today we have received 847 participants and officials entering Central Java,” said the Deputy Governor of Central Java, Taj Yasin Maimoen, in Semarang on Thursday night. He was welcoming the arrival of the Deputy Governor of Southwest Papua, Ahmad Nausrau, who accompanied the delegation at Tawang Station, Semarang.
The Southwest Papua delegation arrived first, while the provincial governor, the Speaker of the Regional House of Representatives, and the regional secretary are scheduled to follow on Friday (11/9).
As of Thursday (10/9), 847 participants and officials from 12 provinces have arrived, and 13 arenas have been prepared for the competitions and supporting activities.
The welcoming atmosphere was warm. Upon arrival, Taj Yasin and Ahmad sat together in the VIP lounge of Tawang Station. Their conversation flowed easily, alternating between Indonesian, Javanese, and Arabic, interspersed with smiles and laughter.
A bond was further strengthened when Ahmad shared that he had previously studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He also shared a personal connection to Central Java, as his wife, Ida Priyanti Nausrau, hails from Cilacap Regency, Central Java.
Speaking in Javanese, Ahmad mentioned that his arrival this time was not only to accompany the Southwest Papua delegation to the National MTQ but also felt like returning to his ancestral roots. “I am coming home. My wife is Javanese, from Cilacap. Clearly, this is not just about participating in the MTQ, but also about returning home,” he said.
Ahmad expressed his emotion at being personally welcomed by the Deputy Governor of Central Java and provincial officials, particularly as Taj Yasin also serves as the Chairman of the Tilawatil Qur’an Development Institute of Central Java.
“The welcome was extraordinary. I am very moved and happy. I thought it would be a standard arrival, but the Deputy Governor and officials came to meet us personally,” he said.
According to him, the National MTQ is not merely a competition arena, but also a momentum to strengthen Islamic brotherhood, national unity, and togetherness between regions. “For us, participation is what matters. Winning or losing comes later. The priority is how the values of the Al-Quran are internalised and practised in social life,” he added.
Southwest Papua also intends to study the organisation of the National MTQ in Central Java as a reference for their potential bid to host the event in the future.