Winning: 2026 National MTQ to serve as momentum to further introduce Sign Language Al-Quran
We must ensure that our brothers and sisters with disabilities also have increasingly wider space and access to study, understand, and love the Al-Quran.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasar_uddin Umar, stated that the 31st Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) to be held in Semarang, Central Java, from 11–20 September 2026, will be utilised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) to further introduce the Sign Language Al-Quran to the public.
“MTQ is not merely a competitive arena, but also a momentum to bring the Al-Quran closer to all layers of society. Therefore, I strongly support the presence of an exhibition for the Deaf community at this year’s National MTQ,” said Minister Nasaruddin Umar in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The 31st National Level Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) in 2026 will open opportunities for participation for the Deaf community through a Deaf Disability Exhibition. This exhibition is part of the Ministry’s efforts to expand public access to inclusive religious dissemination and services.
Minister Nasaruddin Umar emphasised that the Al-Quran must be studyable and understandable by all believers without exception, including persons with disabilities.
The Minister assessed that the implementation of the MTQ is not solely a space for competition. The MTQ also serves as a momentum to expand the dissemination of the Al-Quran, while simultaneously providing religious services that can reach various groups of society.
The implementation of this exhibition is in line with the mandate of Law Number 8 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities. This regulation guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities to obtain access in various aspects of life, including religious services.
The Minister hopes that the spirit of inclusivity brought to the National MTQ does not stop at the exhibition, but also grows stronger in daily religious services.
The Deaf Disability Exhibition will take place in Semarang from 14–16 September 2026. A total of 28 participants from 14 Muslim Deaf communities across various regions in Indonesia are scheduled to take part.
They are divided into two categories. 14 participants will compete in the Tilawah category, which involves reading the Sign Language Al-Quran, while the other 14 participants will participate in the Kitabah category, which involves writing the Sign Language Al-Quran.
The presence of this exhibition expands the space for participation in the 31st National MTQ and serves as a means for the dissemination of the Sign Language Al-Quran Mushaf.