Three Kupang City Reciters to Represent NTT at 2026 National MTQ

Three kafilah from Kupang City will represent Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) at the 30th National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ), scheduled to take place in Semarang, Central Java, from 11 to 20 September 2026. The participants qualified for the national level after securing first place at the NTT Provincial MTQ held in Mbay, Nagekeo Regency. They are Ismatudzahwan Jameel, who won first place in the Men’s 1 Juz Qur’an Memorisation category; Mufthi M. Sadik, who won first place in the Men’s 10 Juz Qur’an Memorisation category; and Zidane Salman Al Farisi Dolu, who won first place in the Men’s Decorative Calligraphy category.

Kupang Mayor Dr. Christian Widodo received the three kafilah in his office on Monday (6/7). Also present were Head of the Kupang City Ministry of Religious Affairs Office Antonius Nggaa Rua, Chairman of the Kupang City Tilawatil Qur’an Development Institute (LPTQ) Muhammad Khairil, Group Leader Samsudin Ridwan, Chairman of the Kupang City MTQ Committee Rahmad Mukolang, and Head of the People’s Welfare Section of the Kupang City Regional Secretariat Ivan L. Mila Meha. During the meeting, the Mayor expressed his appreciation to the participants, trainers, and chaperones for their achievements, which have brought honour to Kupang City and NTT Province.

‘I am very proud and appreciate the hard work of the participants, trainers, and chaperones. This is a pride not only for Kupang City but also for NTT Province. Maintain your spirit, take care of your health, keep practising, and bring the good name of the region with the best morals and achievements in Semarang later,’ said Christian Widodo. He also requested that relevant regional agencies coordinate with the NTT Provincial Government to ensure all the participants’ travel needs to the National MTQ are properly facilitated. In addition to the three first-place winners who will compete at the national level, the audience was also attended by the women’s Fahmil Qur’an team from Kupang City, consisting of Nadhifa Hidayat, Rashika Lutfhiana, and Aisyah Ansyari, who won second place at the provincial level, along with their chaperones from the Kupang City Ministry of Religious Affairs Office.

During the same occasion, the results of the NTT Provincial LPTQ Working Meeting were also announced, which designated Kupang City and West Manggarai Regency as candidates to host the 2028 Provincial MTQ. Responding to this, Mayor Christian Widodo expressed the city government’s readiness should it be entrusted with the role. ‘We welcome and are ready if Kupang City is appointed as the host for the 2028 NTT Provincial MTQ. This is both an honour and a great responsibility to prepare the best facilities, infrastructure, and services to ensure the successful implementation of the MTQ,’ he stated. Kupang City previously achieved third place overall at the NTT Provincial MTQ held in Nagekeo Regency.