PMII and HMI Semarang Express Full Support for National MTQ
Semarang (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) and the Islamic Student Association (HMI) of Semarang City have expressed their full support for the hosting of the 31st National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) in 2026 in the capital of Central Java.
The Chairperson of PC PMII Semarang, M Afiq Nur Cahaya, stated in Semarang on Thursday that hosting the National MTQ represents an extraordinary opportunity and momentum. “It is a quite extraordinary and special momentum because it has been a long time since Semarang had the opportunity to host the National MTQ,” he said.
According to him, the hosting of the National MTQ will position Semarang and Central Java as a national magnet and focal point. “Certainly, it is not just MSMEs that will be enhanced by this national agenda, but also the cultural and educational sectors, among others,” he added.
He expressed hope that the National MTQ would not merely be a ceremonial event held for a limited period, but would be capable of creating something meaningful. “Semarang is a Qur’anic city, a friendly, tolerant, and inclusive city that can serve as a model for other cities in Indonesia,” he said.
“Semarang has many universities and numerous youth elements that can be involved and included in ensuring the success of the MTQN,” he added.
The Chairperson of HMI Semarang, M Nabil Mualif, stated that the National MTQ is one of the largest spiritual events attended by delegates from across Indonesia. “For us, this is both an event and a source of motivation, especially for us HMI students who come from an Islamic background,” he said.
He noted that the appointment of Central Java, with Semarang City as the host, demonstrates that Semarang is a tolerant city. In addition to spiritual enhancement, he stated that the hosting of the National MTQ would also boost the regional economy by involving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“MSME friends, traders, and business owners can participate, thereby driving the community’s economy,” he said.
The 31st National MTQ is scheduled to take place from 11–20 September 2026, with competitions held across 12 arenas throughout Semarang. A total of 2,242 participants have been designated to compete in the 31st National MTQ, consisting of 1,751 core participants and 491 reserves. They will compete in eight branches and 24 competition groups across 48 categories, with the committee having prepared 5,257 examination items.