NTB's 31st Provincial Qur'an Recitation Competition Opens with 300-Dancer Spectacle

The 31st Musabaqoh Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) at the provincial level of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) was officially opened in Central Lombok on Tuesday (9/6/2026). The opening began with a performance by 300 colossal dancers titled ‘Rahmatan Lil Alamin’, which enlivened the atmosphere.

Central Lombok Regent Lalu Pathul Bahri, as the host, expressed gratitude for the trust given by the NTB Provincial Government, which designated the region known as ‘gumi Tatas Tuhu Trasna’ as the location for the MTQ. ‘This is a source of pride for us as servants and public servants of Central Lombok. We extend our deepest thanks for the cooperation that has made this event a success,’ he said in his speech. He noted that the Central Lombok Regency Government had prepared for the MTQ implementation well in advance, since the area was appointed as host following the MTQ in Sumbawa in 2025. ‘However, as the Regional Government, I apologise for any shortcomings and hope this activity further strengthens our love for the Qur’an,’ he stressed.

NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal admitted he was captivated by the splendour of the MTQ opening. He conveyed his appreciation to the Central Lombok Regency Government for organising an event he deemed exceptionally festive. ‘As a member of the Central Lombok community, I feel proud to witness this event. This is a provincial-level MTQ activity with a national feel,’ he said. Iqbal also declared NTB’s readiness to host a national and even international-level MTQ in 2027, following a positive response from a representative of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs who was in attendance. ‘If the Ministry of Religious Affairs supports it, we are ready to host both national and international MTQ events,’ said Lalu Iqbal during his speech opening the 31st NTB Provincial MTQ at Bencingah Agung Masmirah, Central Lombok.

He assessed that MTQ and NTB share a long, inseparable history at the national level. According to him, from the 1990s era until 2016, NTB frequently placed in the top three, before experiencing a decline over the last decade. ‘We hope that in this very proud MTQ opening activity, we simultaneously declare this as the revival point for Tilawatil Qur’an in NTB,’ he asserted. Iqbal also initiated a vision to make NTB a ‘Veranda of the Qur’an’, emulating the concept of other regions with strong religious identities. ‘If Aceh is the Veranda of Mecca, God willing, we will make NTB the Veranda of the Qur’an in the future,’ he explained. He added that he was proud of the 31st MTQ committee’s work, which he deemed successful in delivering a large-scale opening. ‘I also agree that this is a provincial-level MTQ opening with a national feel, and as a resident of Central Lombok, I share in that pride,’ he said.

At the same venue, the Director of Islamic Information at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muchlis Muhammad Hanafi, admitted he was mesmerised by the opening of the 31st NTB MTQ. He stated that this was the first time he had witnessed a provincial-level MTQ opening with such splendour. ‘I must be honest. Throughout my involvement in the MTQ world, both nationally and internationally, this is the first time I have seen such an extraordinary opening ceremony. This is a provincial-level opening with a national feel,’ he said. He also assessed that NTB deserves support to host an international-level MTQ should Indonesia be granted the opportunity to organise it. ‘I must be honest, NTB is very worthy of hosting an international-level MTQ,’ he stressed.