P078 Beyond Qur'anic Recitation:

Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an Antarbangsa se-Borneo as a Platform for Transnational Da'wah Communication

Abstract

The Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an (MTQ) Antarbangsa se-Borneo, inaugurated in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, in November 2023, marks a new development in transnational Islamic engagement by bringing together Muslim delegates from the five provinces of Kalimantan in Indonesia, Sarawak, Sabah, and Labuan in Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. Unlike conventional international Qur'anic recitation competitions, which primarily emphasize competitive performance, this event emerged from the shared geographical, historical, and cultural identity of Borneo, creating opportunities for sustained cross-border interaction among Muslim communities. While previous studies have predominantly examined MTQ as a vehicle for Qur'anic education, religious development, and Islamic preaching, little attention has been paid to its role as a platform for transnational da'wah communication. This study investigates how the Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an (MTQ) Antarbangsa se-Borneo functions beyond a Qur'anic recitation competition by facilitating transnational da'wah communication and strengthening ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood) across the Borneo region. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on in-depth interviews with members of the organizing committee and delegation representatives, supported by the analysis of official documents and media reports. The findings reveal that the event operates as a platform for transnational da'wah communication through three interconnected communicative processes: symbolic communication expressed through Qur'anic recitation as a shared religious language, cultural communication grounded in the common Bornean identity, and interpersonal communication fostered through sustained interaction among delegates. Together, these processes cultivate mutual trust, shared religious understanding, and a collective sense of Islamic belonging that transcends national borders. The study argues that the integration of religious symbolism, cultural proximity, and interpersonal engagement transforms the MTQ into a distinctive platform for transnational da'wah communication that complements conventional da'wah practices and extends beyond formal state-centered religious diplomacy. These findings contribute to the growing scholarship on Islamic communication by expanding the understanding of faith-based cultural events as communicative platforms for fostering regional Islamic cooperation and solidarity among culturally interconnected Muslim communities.