Reorienting Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an as Social Infrastructure for Community-Based Qur’anic Learning and Intergenerational Participation in Rural Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the reorientation of Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) from a primarily competitive religious event into an inclusive, community-based platform for Qur’anic learning, public religious expression, and intergenerational participation. The programme was implemented in Blu’uran Village, Sampang Regency, East Java, Indonesia, using a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach. It involved 30 participants from three age groups—children, adolescents, and adults—and was supported by village officials, religious leaders, and Qur’anic teachers. The programme followed five stages: needs identification, stakeholder coordination, technical preparation, MTQ implementation, and participatory evaluation. Data were collected through participatory observation, informal semi-structured interviews, administrative records, attendance records, and field notes, and were analysed descriptively and thematically. The findings indicate broader participation across age groups, stronger involvement of local stakeholders, greater interest in Qur’anic learning, increased confidence in public recitation, and more frequent interaction among community members. Community involvement was estimated at approximately 90% relative to the programme’s predefined target capacity, although this figure should not be interpreted as a population-level participation rate. The study contributes to community-based religious education by conceptualising MTQ as a form of social infrastructure that connects Qur’anic learning, participatory engagement, and community interaction. The findings suggest that established religious practices can support community development when they are deliberately reoriented towards inclusive participation and local ownership.