ULM Wins Two Medals at the 2nd IQRA International Quran Recitation Competition at Syiah Kuala University
Banda Aceh – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has once again achieved international success. At the Second International Qur’an Recitation Award (IQRA II), held at Syiah Kuala University (USK) in Banda Aceh from September 13–15, 2025, ULM took home two third-place medals in two categories: English Debate and Women’s Tilawah (Quran Recitation).
The ULM team, consisting of Nurhaliza and Alya Syawalita, won third place in the English Debate, while Gusti Aisya Noor Khalisha won third place in the Women’s Tilawah. Additionally, ULM also won consolation in the Qiraat and 20 Juz (Quran Recitation) categories for Women.
The IQRA II competition, themed “Celebrating the Timeless Wisdom of the Qur’an in a Changing World,” attracted participants from various countries, including Egypt, Brunei, and Medina, as well as from several leading Indonesian universities. The achievements in this competition established ULM as one of the universities actively contributing to Indonesia’s prestige in the international MTQ (Quotes and Recitations) competition.
In an interview, Gusti Aisya Noor Khalisha revealed that the team’s preparations were intensive, lasting two to three months. “We strengthened our mastery of recitation songs, deepened our tajweed (recitation), honed our vocal stamina, and prepared video recordings of recitations for the initial selection stage,” Aisya explained.
She added that the biggest challenges were balancing time between practice and class activities and maintaining peak vocal quality. “There was also some nervousness because this was an international competition with competitive participants from various countries,” she said.
The full support from ULM was also a crucial factor in the team’s success. According to Aisya, the university facilitated the administration, provided assignment letters, financed her travel, and provided support from lecturers who also served as officials.
For Aisya, the experience of performing on the international stage was an unforgettable moment. “This event is not just a competition, but also a space for friendship and the propagation of the Quran. We are proud to have brought honor to ULM at the global level,” she said enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, Rofi Qoriah, one of the finalists from ULM competing in the Qira’at Female category, stated that the training for IQRA II was also part of her preparation for the 2025 National Student MTQ (Qualification Competition).
“Competing at the international level is very challenging because participants come from both within and outside the country, so we have to train even harder. However, this experience is invaluable because we get to meet and learn from other outstanding participants,” she said.
ULM’s participation in this international MTQ not only brings pride to the campus but also demonstrates the university’s commitment to supporting the development of student talent and potential in the religious field. It is hoped that this achievement will motivate other ULM students to continue to excel on the national and international stage.
