Kuching to host Borneo Quran competition from Oct 26-29

KUCHING: The city will host the 2026 Borneo Cities Quran Recitation and Memorisation Competition (MTQBB) from October 26 to 29, bringing together 32 participants from across Borneo.

Sarawak Islamic Council’s (MIS) President, Datuk Misnu Taha said participants would represent Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei Darussalam and five provinces in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

He said the regional event aims to promote Quranic knowledge while strengthening ties and cooperation among participating territories and countries.

“So far, we have 32 participants from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and five provinces in Kalimantan.

“The competition will begin on October 26, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officiating the event on October 27.

Abang Johari (fourth left) meets with the MIS delegation. – Photo: UKAS

“The closing ceremony on October 29 will be officiated by the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar,” he said in a report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).

He told the media this after paying a courtesy call on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today.

Themed ‘Ummah Maju Makmur’, the competition will feature two main categories, comprising nine male and eight female participants in Quran recitation, alongside eight male and seven female participants in Quran memorisation.

The programme will also include the Borneo Scholars Forum, Quran exhibitions and quizzes.

The recitation and memorisation competitions will take place at the Sarawak Islamic Complex Hall, while exhibitions will be held at the Central Court of Majma’ Mall.

The Borneo Scholars Forum will be held at the Islamic Information Centre.

For the recitation competition, the champion will receive RM20,000, followed by RM14,000 for the runner-up and RM10,000 for third place, while consolation prizes are worth RM3,000.

In the memorisation category, the champion will receive RM10,000, the runner-up RM8,000 and third-place winner RM6,000, with consolation prizes of RM2,000.