23,000 Quran Centers Active in Indonesia
Speaking to IQNA, Sayyed Aqil al-Munawwar added that the centers are supported and supervised by municipalities in different cities and towns.
He underlined that municipalities play a major role in promoting Quranic education in Indonesia.
Some Quranic centers, meanwhile, are affiliated to the Islamic University of Indonesia, he said.
Asked about the level of Quranic and religious education in Indonesia’s universities, he said university students, especially those studying at Islamic higher education centers, have a good mastery over Quran reading and memorization and also learn religious subjects such as Hadith and Quran interpretation.
Al-Munawwar also touched on Quran competition in his country, saying that a national contest on Quran and Sunnah is annually held in Indonesia.
As for international events, Indonesia’s first international Quran competition was held in 2003 but after four years, the country suspended it, he said.
According to the Quranic figure, the international competition will resume as the 5th edition is planned to be held later this year.
Elsewhere, al-Munawwar referred to the role of Quran reciters and memorizers in society and said they can play an important part in enhancing unity among Muslims.
He was also asked about the Union of Qaris and Quran Memorizers in Indonesia. Al-Munawwar said it was established in Sumatra in 1988.
According to the Quranic figure, the union works to enhance the Quranic skills of Qaris and memorizers and sponsor specialized Quranic courses in different parts of the country.
Born in 1954 in Palembang, capital of Indonesia’s South Sumatra province, Sayyed Aqil al-Munawwar is a graduate of Umm Al Qura University in Mcca, Saudi Arabia.
He served as Indonesia’s minister of religious affairs from 2001 to 2004.
He is a prominent Quran reciter and also teaches Quranic and religious sciences in universities in his home country.
Al-Munawwar has also served as member of panel of judges in various international Quran cometitions, including those held in Iran.
