Digital Devotion: UIN Bukittinggi Takes the Qur’an to the Global Cloud

Minggu, Maret 08, 2026

BUKITTINGGI — In the misty highlands of West Sumatra, a city long celebrated as a bastion of culture is redefining how the ancient art of Qur’anic recitation meets the digital age. UIN Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi officially launched its 2026 International Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an (MTQ) on Saturday, March 7, signaling a bold expansion of its spiritual and academic footprint.

This year’s iteration marks a strategic pivot for the university. Breaking from tradition, the competition has opened its virtual doors to two distinct cohorts: university students and, for the first time, high schoolers. The goal is clear: to cultivate a "love for the Divine Word" before the distractions of adulthood take root.

Boundaries Dissolved

The logistical challenge of a global competition is met with a high-tech solution. According to program director Hamdani, Lc., MA., the entire event is being staged online, weaving together participants from disparate time zones into a single digital tapestry. Despite the flickering screens and thousands of miles of fiber-optic cable, the spiritual fervor remains undiluted.

The competition, which runs until March 12, features a progressive judging format: there is no distinction in scoring between male (Qori) and female (Qoriah) reciters—a move that places the focus squarely on the purity of the recitation and the technical mastery of the art.

Beyond the Melody

For the university’s leadership, the event is less about the trophy and more about the "tradition of the soul." In a keynote delivered by Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Edi Rosman (on behalf of Rector Prof. Dr. Silfia Hanani), the institution emphasized that the Qur'an must be more than a melodic performance.

"This is a tradition that must endure," Rosman remarked. "The Qur'an is not merely to be competed for its sound, but to be read, understood, practiced, and shared."

By leveraging digital platforms, UIN Bukittinggi is attempting to dismantle geopolitical walls, uniting a fractured world under the banner of "positive and religious competition."

A Light in the Dark

The opening ceremony—solemn despite its digital medium—featured a profound theological reflection by Dr. Irwandi Nashir, Head of the Center for International Relations. Drawing from Surah Ibrahim, Verse 1, Irwandi spoke to the transformative power of scripture in an era of uncertainty.

He argued that the Qur’an’s primary role is to act as a lighthouse, guiding humanity away from "the darkness of doubt and the vagueness of purpose." In his view, the competition is a roadmap to Ma’rifatullah (knowing God)—offering young believers a clear vision of service and an eternal perspective in an increasingly transient world.

As the final results loom on March 13, UIN Bukittinggi isn’t just crowning a winner; it is betting that the echoes of these ancient verses will resonate far beyond the speakers of a laptop, strengthening a global network of young Islamic intellectuals.

Source : IO UIN Bukittinggi

Tags : International Kegiatan

Auliyaa Ikrami

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• NameAuliyaa Ikrami
• Emailio@uinbukittinggi.ac.id