Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The National Quran Recitation Competition or Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) for the provincial level of South Kalimantan in Tanah Bumbu was postponed, after some of the contestants were PCR tested positive for COVID-19.
Acting Governor Safrizal ZA in Banjarmasin explained that there were several considerations that the MTQ, which was supposed to be held beginning Saturday (April 3, 2021) night, was delayed.
Apart from the contestants, who were tested positive, he said, the enthusiasm of the community to attend the opening of was quite high, thus it was feared to cause a crowd that would result in the spread of COVID-19.
Whereas, South Kalimantan is one of the priority areas for handling the spread of COVID-19 nationally, so the MTQ is feared to interfere with the implementation of micro-scale Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM Mikro) to stemming COVID-19 transmission.
"The most important consideration is that South Kalimantan is one of the priority areas for implementation of PPKM Mikro, which includes the restriction on community activities, including social and cultural," he said in a press statement attended by Regent of Tanah Bumbu Zairullah Azhar, as the organizer of the MTQ.
"Without reducing the spirit of syiar Islam, after we discussed with Forkopimda (the regional leaders' communication forum) and the organizers, the MTQ which should be opened tonight and to run from 3 to 8 April, with a heavy heart we declare it is postponed," he said.
Furthermore, said Safrizal, the MTQ will be implemented virtually while waiting for the Quran Reading Competition Institute (LPTQ) to arrange the technical implementation and schedule.
