Fostering Children’s Interests and Talents through Islamic Competitions during the Commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi) in Cisarandi Village, Warungkondang District

Abstract

Community Service Program (KKN) plays a crucial role in fostering community development, particularly through activities that combine educational and religious objectives. This study examines the implementation of Islamic-themed competitions in commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad SAW’s birthday, conducted by KKN students from Institut Madani Nusantara in 2025 at Desa Cisarandi, Kecamatan Warungkondang. The competitions targeted children from early childhood education (PAUD) and Madrasah Diniyah (MD), covering activities such as drawing, Arabic letter recitation, adhan (call to prayer), and Musabaqah Hifdzil Qur’an (MHQ). A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, including direct observation, documentation, and interviews with KKN coordinators, village leaders, and teachers. The findings reveal that drawing was the most preferred activity with 17 participants, followed by Arabic letter recitation (8 participants), MHQ (7 participants), and adhan (4 participants). The competitions successfully provided a platform for nurturing children’s interests, talents, and confidence in public performance. Participants demonstrated increased motivation, creativity, and understanding of Islamic values. These results align with previous studies, indicating that religious-based competitions not only enhance learning motivation but also strengthen social interaction and moral development among children (Jamaluddin, 2020; Fitriyani et al., 2024). The study concludes that community-based Islamic competitions represent an effective strategy for developing knowledgeable, confident, and ethically grounded future generations. Furthermore, collaboration between students, educators, and community leaders is essential to ensure the sustainability and impact of such programs.