HARIANEXPRESS – Teams from Blitar and Tulungagung secured first place in the Selawat U-18 Festival held at Pondok Pesantren Al-Kautsar, Trenggalek, on August 25, 2026.
The festival, commemorating Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW, was organized at Pondok Pesantren Al-Kautsar in Desa/Kecamatan Durenan, Trenggalek Regency. A total of 40 teams participated in the competition, which included both Banjari and Habsyi categories.
Prize ceremonies for the U-18 Habsyi and Banjari categories took place. Winners received trophies and prize money from the head of Pondok Pesantren Al-Kautsar Durenan, Trenggalek.
“On the Habsyi category, Alfabait from MA Ma’arif Blitar Udanawu successfully achieved first place. Second position was occupied by Fata Al-Labib from Kediri,” ujar Izza Humaira (Chairman of Al-Kautsar Fest Executive Committee).
Izza further noted that Miftachussa’adah from Glenmore, Banyuwangi, secured third place in the Habsyi category. Al Fikri from MTsN 4 Nganjuk and Qurrata A’yun from MTsN 1 Trenggalek placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
“For the banjari category, first place was achieved by Ihsanul Muhibbin from Tulungagung. Second place was occupied by Al Khoir from Singosari, Malang,” she explained.
Farodisal Jinan from MAN 1 Kota Kediri earned third place in Banjari, followed by Al Hidayah Ula from MAPK Al Hidayah Nganjuk and Al Amar from MAN 1 Nganjuk in fourth and fifth. Additionally, Syubbanunal Muatawaddiin from Nganjuk was honored with The Best Jingle award for the U-18 categories.
For the general category, which was held on Tuesday, the committee prepared awards for first through tenth place, along with an additional ‘The Best Jingle’ prize. The organizing committee prepared awards for the top five teams in both the Banjari and Habsyi U-18 categories, along with a special Jingle award for U-18. Prize money awarded included Rp 2.5 million for first place, Rp 2 million for second place, and Rp 1 million for third place.
Izza highlighted the continuous increase in participant enthusiasm for the Al-Kautsar Fest Selawat Festival year after year. She also mentioned that the event attracts both returning teams and newcomers.
