Calligraphy workshops instant hit

Workshops on Arabic calligraphy at the Aramco Summer Festival in Jeddah are gaining popularity with visitors enthusiastic to learn the Islamic art form. Famous Saudi calligraphy writers and artists Ibrahim Ali Al-Arrafy and Saud Khan are conducting the workshops, which continue until July 18 at the Aramco heritage tent at the festival.
Arabic calligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting the language of the Holy Qur’an. Calligraphy is especially revered among Islamic arts. It was the primary means for the preservation of the Qur’an. As Islam considers figurative art to be idolatrous, calligraphy and abstract depictions became a major form of artistic expression in Islamic cultures, especially in a religious context.
“We would like to revert the Muslim youth toward their heritage, their art, a way to show Islamic art and culture. This came from the Qur’an and it has been here for more than 1,400 years,” said Al-Arrafy ” We want the world to know about it and at the same time we want our new generation not to forget their heritage.
Calligraphy can be seen on the Kiswah (cover of the Ka’aba), on the walls of mosques, ceilings of Islamic architectural structures and buildings around the world. We want our youth and new generation to learn about it and love it,” he added.
He explained the workshops were aimed at students of all ages, teaching them different types of Arabic calligraphy.
“Every day we receive more than 100 students. The tables are always full. We are teaching them the seven different types of Arabic calligraphy writings,” he explained.
Al-Arrafy said the yearly workshop only takes a month. After this he will start calligraphy workshops for students at Dallah volunteers’ academy for a whole year, except during Ramadan, Eid and Haj.
Asma Chaudary, one of the supervisors of the workshop, said the students get instruction videos on Arabic calligraphy and at the end of the program they will get a book called “Mashq” by Al-Arrafy as a gift.
The book explains all types of calligraphy writings and art with colorful pictures.