Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas presented bonuses to 22 representatives from Medan City who won at the 19th Quran and Hadith Recitation Competition (STQH) at the North Sumatra Provincial level in 2025. In this 19th STQH event, Medan City emerged as the overall champion.

The symbolic bonus presentation was conducted by Rico Waas to the winners of the 19th STQH North Sumatra at the Mayor’s Official Residence Hall on Sudirman Street, Monday.

During this meeting, Medan Mayor Rico Waas also received the Rolling Trophy for Overall Champion of the 19th STQH North Sumatra Province 2025 from the Medan City Quran Recitation Committee.

Rico stated that on behalf of the Medan City Government, he appreciates and congratulates the Medan City representatives who became winners at the 19th STQH North Sumatra. Moreover, Medan City became the Overall Champion in this event.

“I appreciate and congratulate the winners of the 19th STQH North Sumatra. This is certainly a very good and extraordinary achievement and becomes a pride for Medan City,” said Rico Waas in front of the attendees.

According to Rico Waas, STQH is a prestigious event because it is the most important talent search among other talent search events. This is because STQH is a competition for Quran memorizers.

“It’s not easy to find children who have the talent to memorize the Quran, especially in this era of advancing technology, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack,” said Rico Waas.

Rico Waas added that this becomes a challenge for all parties, both the Medan City Government and the Medan City Quran Recitation Committee, to find young generations who have the talent and ability as Quran memorizers.

“I hope the winners of the 19th STQH North Sumatra can become inspirations for Quran memorizers among the young generation of Medan City. This means the achievements obtained today should motivate other youths to achieve championship,” hoped Rico Waas.

Going forward, Rico Waas requested all parties to pay more attention to the STQH winners, especially their future. Besides scholarships to continue education, they also deserve to get good and proper employment.

“They have the right and need to receive our attention to obtain scholarships and get jobs. Let’s protect and pay attention to their future,” exclaimed Rico Waas while hoping that in the future there will be a Medan City leader who is a Quran memorizer.

Furthermore, to the winners of the 19th STQH North Sumatra, Rico Waas provided motivation and encouragement to participate in the national level STQH. Hopefully the Medan City representatives who will represent North Sumatra Province can achieve championship in the event that will be held in Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi Province.

Previously, it was explained that 22 participants from Medan City delegation won at the 19th STQH North Sumatra Province. They received bonuses: first place winners (Rp 5 million) per person, second place winners (Rp 4 million) per person, and third place winners (Rp 3 million) per person.

“In the 19th STQH North Sumatra, from 22 people resulted in 5 first place winners, 7 second place winners, and 2 third place winners. Subsequently, they were sent to undergo training to participate in the National level STQH that will be held in Kendari City,” it was explained.

Mayor’s Official Residence Hall

The Mayor’s Official Residence Hall is the designated public residence for the mayor of a city, typically used for official functions and ceremonies. While the specific history varies by city, such residences are often historic buildings themselves, having been constructed or designated decades ago to serve as both a home and a symbolic center of local government.

Sudirman Street

Sudirman Street is a major thoroughfare in Jakarta, Indonesia, named after General Sudirman, a revered national hero who commanded Indonesian forces during the country’s war for independence. It serves as a central business and financial hub, lined with skyscrapers, hotels, and shopping malls, symbolizing the city’s modern economic development.

Medan City

Medan is the capital and largest city of North Sumatra, Indonesia, historically developing from a small plantation town into a major economic hub. Its rapid growth began in the late 19th century, fueled by the Dutch colonial tobacco and rubber industries. The city’s multicultural heritage is reflected in landmarks like the Maimun Palace and the Great Mosque of Medan, showcasing a blend of Malay, Chinese, and European influences.

North Sumatra Province

North Sumatra is a province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, known for its stunning natural landscapes centered around Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world. The region is historically significant as the homeland of the Batak people, whose distinct cultures and ancient traditions, including unique architecture and adat (customary law), have been preserved for centuries. The area was also influenced by early Indianized kingdoms and later became a key part of the Dutch colonial empire’s plantation economy.

Kendari City

Kendari is the capital city of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, which developed from a small fishing village into a significant administrative and trading port. Its modern growth was largely spurred by its strategic location on the Kendari Bay, with its history of trade and colonial influence from the Dutch. Today, it serves as a bustling economic and governmental hub for the region.

Southeast Sulawesi Province

Southeast Sulawesi is a province in Indonesia known for its rugged mountains, pristine coastlines, and rich nickel deposits. Historically, the region was home to several influential kingdoms, such as the Buton Sultanate, which left a legacy of forts and traditional customs. Today, it offers a unique cultural blend and is a growing destination for its natural beauty and historical sites.

Quran and Hadith Recitation Competition (STQH)

The Quran and Hadith Recitation Competition (STQH) is an annual Indonesian national event focused on the art of reciting the Quran and Hadith texts. It was established to preserve and promote the traditional skills of tilawah (melodic recitation) and to encourage a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings among the youth. The competition has become a prestigious platform that helps to cultivate a new generation of skilled and devout reciters.

Rolling Trophy for Overall Champion

This is not a physical place or cultural site, but a type of award. A rolling trophy is a prize, often in sports or competitive events, that is passed on to the new champion each year, rather than being kept permanently by the winner. Its history is tied to the tradition of honoring a continuous lineage of champions, with winners’ names typically engraved on it over the years.