Arabic Phonological Skills and Their Implications for the Achievements of Participants in the Qiraat Branch of MTQ XXXII, Boyolali Regency, Central Java

Abstract

This study examines the implications of Arabic pronunciation skills on the achievements of MTQ XXXII participants. In the context of Qira'at, Arabic phonological skills such as makharijul huruf, tajwid, the properties and characteristics of letters are the main elements that influence the quality of reading and accuracy in reading the Qur'an. This shows that phonetic errors not only impact the meaning of verses, but can also reduce participants' scores in the competition. Through a qualitative approach, this study involved interviews with participants and instructors, as well as observations of participants' competition recordings. The results of this study indicate that phonological skills significantly influence the achievements of MTQ participants. However, several challenges were found that affect participants' phonological abilities, including the influence of their mother tongue, difficulty in distinguishing similar sounds, and the lack of effective training methods. This study recommends technology-based phonetic learning strategies, drilling methods, and regular evaluations to improve the abilities of MTQ XXXII participants in Boyolali Regency. This study is expected to contribute to Arabic linguistic studies and become a reference for participants and instructors of MTQ XXXII in Boyolali Regency