Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Prof. Dr. Bambang Cipto, M.A. officially open an exhibition and bazaar ‘Seni dan Budaya Islam’ (Islamic Arts and Cultures) of Al-Qur’an Festival of Muhammadiyah- and Aisyiyah-affiliated universities by cutting a ribbon. The festival will be organized for three days.

The opening ceremony was conducted at east gate of Sportorium on Thursday (9/8). There were 17 stands in the exhibition. They were from Bayt Al-Qur’an and Museum Istiqlal, PP Muhammadiyah, and Mualimin and Mualimat.

Prof. Bambang Cipto expressed his proud that UMY can become the host of the festival. “It is an honor for UMY to be the host of the first Al-Qur’an Festival. I wish that the festival could run well,” he declared.

“The idea to hold the festival has existed since 2015, but it can be organized now due to the endeavor of the committee,” he told.

Besides, chief of the festival Ghoffar Ismail mentioned, “This festival is conducted from 9 to 11 August 2016. Today’s schedule is talkshow by Habiburrahman El Shirazy and a seminar of Al-Qur’an.”

Ghoffar informed that the exhibition and bazaar displayed the uniqueness of Al-Qur’an. There are the biggest Al-Qur’an from Masjid Agung of Central Java, the smallest Al-Qur’an in Indonesia, mosques of Mecca and Medina in miniature by Mualimin/Mualimat school, and Islamic ancient manuscripts by PP Muhammadiyah.

He told that the exhibition and bazaar also provide facilities to learn Al-Qur’an. “Everyone is welcomed to this exhibition and they can learn Al-Qur’an. There are Al-Quran in braille, tahsin facility for learning how to read Al-Qur’an well, and history learning in a stand of Bayt Al-Qur’an and Museum Istiqlal,” he said.

Ghoffar inserted that the festival is a way to appreciate qori/qoriah of Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah-affiliated universities. “May this event create excellent qori/qoriah in Indonesia, particularly at Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah-affiliated universities,” he ended.