Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs will host the Musabaqah Qiraatil Kutub (MQK) — a competition focused on reading kitab kuning (classical Islamic texts written in Arabic) — in Wajo, South Sulawesi, from October 1 to 7.
According to Suyitno, Director General of Islamic Education at the ministry, this year marks the first international edition of the MQK, with participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
A total of 8,773 students from 1,218 institutions are expected to take part in the competition, including 1,161 Islamic boarding schools and 57 Ma'had Aly (advanced Islamic higher education institutions).
Suyitno noted that this year’s event is particularly special, not only because it will be held in eastern Indonesia but also because it will be conducted online.
The competition was officially launched on Tuesday by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, in an event attended by 10 Indonesian ambassadors to Southeast Asian countries, as well as the international participants.
Heads of the ministry’s regional offices, Islamic boarding school associations, and administrators from across Indonesia also joined the event virtually.
In his remarks, Minister Umar described the international MQK as a platform for students to read, interpret, and explain the content of traditional Islamic texts that have been passed down and taught by scholars over generations.
He emphasized that while many students can read Arabic fluently, deeper comprehension is essential.
“This competition is not about who reads Arabic the best, but who best understands the meaning of these classical texts,” he said.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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