Indonesian Madrasah Olympiad 2026 sees surge in student participation

The 2026 Indonesian Madrasah Olympiad (OMI) has seen a significant increase in participation, with 230,123 students registered. This represents a 12.7 percent increase compared to the 2025 competition. Of these registrants, 229,593 participants successfully passed the verification process.

Amin Suyitno, Director General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, noted that the rise in participation reflects a growing interest in talent development and achievement within the madrasah ecosystem. Notably, participation from general school students also rose by 38.1 percent, with 13,271 students from elementary, middle, and high schools joining the competition.

In Kepulauan Meranti, Regent Asmar officially opened the local OMI event, emphasizing the theme of “Islam, Science, and Ecotechnology.” Asmar encouraged students to integrate scientific advancement with Islamic values and environmental awareness, stating that the competition serves as a platform to foster creativity, critical thinking, and character building for the next generation.