UNU Jogja Explores Collaboration with PW JQH NU Yogyakarta to Celebrate National Santri Day 2026

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) welcomed a courtesy visit from the Regional Executive Board of Jam'iyyatul Qurra' wal Huffazh Nahdlatul Ulama of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (PW JQH NU DIY) to discuss potential collaboration in organizing a series of activities for National Santri Day 2026.

The PW JQH NU DIY delegation was led by its Chairman, KH Ujang Sihabudin, who also serves as Head of the Institutional Affairs and Islamic Religious Outreach Team under the Directorate of Islamic Religious Information, Zakat, and Waqf (Penais Zawa) of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Yogyakarta. The delegation was welcomed by Dr. Abdul Ghoffar, Vice Rector for Islamic Boarding School Affairs and Social Transformation at UNU Jogja, together with representatives from the University's Directorate of Pesantren Affairs.

The meeting marked an initial step toward strengthening collaboration between UNU Jogja and PW JQH NU DIY in promoting Qur'anic outreach and nurturing a Qur'an-centered generation across the Special Region of Yogyakarta. One of the key agendas discussed was the organization of the Yogyakarta Provincial Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an (MTQ), scheduled for October 18, 2026, as part of the National Santri Day celebrations.

Chairman of PW JQH NU DIY, KH Ujang Sihabudin, emphasized that the MTQ is more than a Qur'an recitation competition; it is a sustainable platform for developing the talents and character of santri and young Muslims.

"National Santri Day should become a momentum to strengthen young people's love for the Qur'an. Through this MTQ, we aim to establish continuous development while producing outstanding Qur'an reciters (qari), memorizers (hafiz), Qur'anic interpreters (mufassir), and Islamic calligraphy artists," he said on Friday, July 24.

According to him, organizing the provincial-level MTQ will help strengthen the ecosystem of Qur'anic education within Islamic boarding schools while fostering friendship and solidarity among santri from districts and municipalities throughout Yogyakarta.

Meanwhile, Irhas Badruzaman, Director of Pesantren Affairs at UNU Jogja, welcomed the proposed collaboration, describing it as a strategic opportunity to reinforce the University's role in promoting Islamic scholarship and Qur'anic outreach.

"This collaboration is an important first step. We are ready to work together to ensure the success of National Santri Day while strengthening the development of a Qur'an-centered generation through meaningful educational and religious activities," Irhas said.

He added that the involvement of higher education institutions in religious events such as the MTQ reflects UNU Jogja's commitment to integrating academic excellence, Islamic values, and community engagement within its educational mission.

The MTQ is expected to attract participants from Islamic boarding schools specializing in Qur'anic studies, secondary school students, university students, and the general public. Participants in the santri and student categories will represent the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Branch Boards (PCNU) from districts and municipalities across Yogyakarta, while the university category will be represented by delegates from Nahdlatul Ulama universities (PTNU) throughout the province.

To accommodate participants with diverse talents, the provincial MTQ will feature six competition categories: Qur'an Recitation (Tilawah) for students, Qur'an Memorization (Tahfidz) for santri, students, and university students, Qur'anic Interpretation and Classical Islamic Text Studies (Tafsir Al-Qur'an–Qira'atul Kutub) for the general public, Qira'ah Sab'ah, Islamic Calligraphy (Khattil Qur'an) for santri and students, and Tartil Al-Qur'an for children from Qur'anic learning centers (TPQ) and Islamic boarding schools.

As a university in Yogyakarta committed to integrating academic excellence with Islamic values, UNU Jogja hopes this collaboration will make a meaningful contribution to the celebration of National Santri Day 2026 while expanding opportunities for santri to develop their potential in Qur'an recitation, memorization, interpretation, calligraphy, and other branches of Qur'anic arts. [Latifah]