Internationalization of Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools Begins with MQK 2025
Jakarta (Kemenag) — The Ministry of Religious Affairs made history by launching the first International Musabaqah Qira’atil Kutub (MQK). The kick-off for the International MQK was conducted by Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar at the Ministry’s headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 8, 2025).
The presence of the 2025 International Islamic Boarding School (MQK International) marks a significant milestone in the internationalization of Indonesian Islamic boarding schools. Not only are they centers for local tafaqquh (Islamic reflection), but they are now playing a role as hubs for cultural diplomacy and Islamic scholarship in Southeast Asia.
“We are building an Islamic education system based on Islamic boarding schools that transcends national borders. The International MQK is not just a competition, but a platform for inter-traditional Islamic scholarship,” stated Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar.
Through MQK International, the Ministry of Religious Affairs wants to demonstrate that Indonesian Islamic boarding schools have the scientific credibility, rich heritage, and methodological capacity to become equal partners in the intellectual conversation of the Islamic world.
The internationalization of the MQK is part of Indonesia’s soft diplomacy in the religious sphere. Through Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), Indonesia is strengthening its position as the epicenter of moderate, constructive, and solution-oriented Islam in facing the challenges of the times.
“Pesantren are a strategic asset for Indonesia to emerge as a moral leader in the region. The Southeast Asia MQK will be a stage to showcase a peaceful, intellectual Islam that is open to international dialogue,” said the Minister of Religious Affairs.
The Director General of Islamic Education, Amien Suyitno, emphasized that this event is a form of mutual understanding through knowledge (al-ta’āruf al-ma’rifī) between religious institutions in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, he said, is present not as a subordinate, but as an epistemic center rich in references and moderation.
Not only competitions, said Suyitno, MQKI 2025 was also enlivened by a number of accompanying activities ( side events ), including the International Ulama Halaqah with the theme of Reconstruction of Maqashid Syariah in a Contemporary Context, the Islamic Boarding School Independence Expo, displaying superior products from various Islamic boarding schools, Macanang Bershalawat, the Nusantara Santri Scout Camp, Fajr Inspiration, Night Inspiration and the Launching of the Green Islamic Boarding School (Planting 1 tree for 1 student).
This year’s MQKI marked the first international edition in its history. The event involved students from various friendly countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Myanmar, as well as representatives of Indonesian communities abroad, such as those from the Jakarta Global Network.
The 1st International MQK Summit in 2025 will be held offline from October 1-7, 2025, at the As’adiyah Islamic Boarding School in Sengkang, Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi. The preliminary round will be held online in September.
