Wajo, South Sulawesi — October 2, 2025. Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar, MA, emphasized that religion must play a transformative role in addressing global challenges, including climate change and armed conflict. The statement was delivered during the opening ceremony of the International Musabaqah Qira’atil Kutub (MQK) 2025, held at Pesantren As’adiyah, Wajo, South Sulawesi.

For the first time, MQK is organized on an international scale, engaging participants from ASEAN countries under the theme “Caring for the Environment and Spreading Peace.” The event reflects Indonesia’s growing influence in integrating religious tradition with global humanitarian issues.

“While wars claim around 67,000 lives each year, climate change impacts more than four million people annually. These numbers should awaken our moral and spiritual consciousness,” Minister Nasaruddin stated. He underscored that environmental degradation stems from human negligence and urged faith-based communities to develop eco-theology — a shared awareness of the interconnection between God, humans, and nature.

He further stressed that MQK should not be viewed merely as a competition in reading classical Islamic texts, but as a platform of cultural diplomacy. “Pesantren are centers of peace. Through MQK, we introduce Indonesia’s Islam to the world — an Islam that is compassionate, inclusive, and deeply rooted in culture,” he added.

Director General of Islamic Education Amien Suyitno noted three new dimensions of this year’s MQK: international participation, fully digitalized processes from selection to scoring, and its first-ever hosting in Eastern Indonesia.

The event gathered 798 Indonesian participants and 20 ASEAN delegates, enlivened by Bugis-Makassar performances and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony to promote environmental awareness.

Minister Nasaruddin concluded with a call to revive the intellectual spirit of Islam’s golden age — nurturing scholars who can merge faith, science, and compassion to face today’s global crises.

(humassk)