Calligraphy captivates Arabic speakers, non-speakers alike, say enthusiasts

The Saudi Ministry of Culture launched two new fonts based on traditional Arabic calligraphy, to be used by organizations and individuals in formal settings and for artistic works. (Supplied/@mocsaudi_en)
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The Saudi Ministry of Culture launched two new fonts based on traditional Arabic calligraphy, to be used by organizations and individuals in formal settings and for artistic works. (Supplied/@mocsaudi_en)
The Saudi Ministry of Culture launched two new fonts based on traditional Arabic calligraphy, to be used by organizations and individuals in formal settings and for artistic works. (Supplied/@mocsaudi_en)
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The Saudi Ministry of Culture launched two new fonts based on traditional Arabic calligraphy, to be used by organizations and individuals in formal settings and for artistic works. (Supplied/@mocsaudi_en)
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Updated 20 April 2025
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Calligraphy captivates Arabic speakers, non-speakers alike, say enthusiasts

Calligraphy captivates Arabic speakers, non-speakers alike, say enthusiasts
  • Traditional script is universal language appreciated for artistry, even if not understood
  • New fonts to be used by individuals, organizations in formal settings

RIYADH: Arabic calligraphy occupies a global artistic status that captivates Arabic speakers and non-speakers alike, enthusiasts have told Arab News.

The Ministry of Culture last week introduced two fonts based on Arabic calligraphy that are intended to be used by individuals and organizations in formal settings and for artistic works: Al-Awwal and Saudi.

Abdulrahman Al-Shahed, a founding member of the Saudi Arabic Calligraphy Association, told Arab News that the introduction of the fonts was “a welcome step that contributes to renewing the presence of Arabic calligraphy in digital and contemporary contexts, without separating it from its spiritual and aesthetic roots.”

He described the introduction of the fonts as “a call to rediscover calligraphy as a living identity.”

Arabic calligraphy “amazes viewers with its abstract beauty and contemplative spirit,” Al-Shahed said.

He noted that “many non-Arabs don’t read the letters, but they feel them and their beauty,” adding that Arabic calligraphy was consequently a universal visual language.

It has been evolving for more than 1,400 years, and each generation adds its own influence to the artform, expressing its own spirit and time, he said.

Abdul Adeem Al-Shali, a member of the Fine Arts Group in Qatif, told Arab News that “there is a growing interest among a large segment of non-Arabic speakers in the Arabic language and its letters and words.”

He added: “This interest demonstrates the magic of the Arabic letter and its appeal to the eye of the average recipient, let alone someone with artistic awareness.”

Many foreigners have masterfully drawn calligraphy. The American calligrapher Mohamed Zakariya, who converted to Islam and learned calligraphy in Istanbul, gained widespread fame, for example.

He held numerous calligraphy exhibitions in America and other Western countries, receiving praise from those interested in the art, said Al-Shali.

The arts enthusiast is optimistic about the future of Arabic calligraphy and urged those in charge of art colleges, calligraphy institutes, and Arabic language colleges at universities to “preserve this great heritage and teach it to current generations with great care.”

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the minister of culture, said that the new typefaces were a tribute to the Kingdom’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, his ministry adding that they were based on historic “inscriptions and Qur’anic manuscripts.”

The design of Al-Awwal highlights the spirit of calligraphy in ancient inscriptions in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Saudi takes into account the artistic principles of the Al-Awwal script and makes it more contemporary.

A group of local and international experts was responsible for their design, with support from the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy Initiative.

Arabic calligraphy originated in the Arabian Peninsula and was influenced by the cultural and political conditions in the region and ancient rock art from pre-Islamic civilizations and languages. It spread with the migration of Arabs during the Islamic expansion.

The new typefaces “reflect the historical depth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is considered the cradle of ancient human civilizations and the home of various calligraphy and inscriptions, ranging from Musnad, Nabataean, and Thamudic,” the Ministry of Culture said, referencing some of the ancient civilizations from the peninsula.


Saudi FM receives Turkish counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi FM receives Turkish counterpart in Riyadh
Updated 1 min 5 sec ago
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Saudi FM receives Turkish counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi FM receives Turkish counterpart in Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday received his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Riyadh to discuss the latest regional developments, Al Arabiya News Channel reported.


Filipino conjoined twins in Riyadh for surgical separation

Filipino conjoined twins in Riyadh for surgical separation
Updated 18 May 2025
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Filipino conjoined twins in Riyadh for surgical separation

Filipino conjoined twins in Riyadh for surgical separation
  • Klea Ann and Maurice Ann Misa are being assessed at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital

RIYADH: Filipino conjoined twin sisters Klea Ann and Maurice Ann Misa arrived in Riyadh on Saturday and are being assessed for possible separation surgery under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.

The twins were taken to the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital at the Ministry of National Guard upon arrival at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Klea Ann and Maurice Ann, accompanied by their parents, were brought to the Kingdom from Manila upon royal directives.

They are the third conjoined twins from the Philippines to be placed on the program.

The program’s medical and surgical team is led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who is also an adviser at the Royal Court and director general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief.

The twin’s parents expressed their gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generous care and warm reception, as well as the comprehensive medical attention they received, SPA reported.

Conjoined twins Klea Ann and Maurice Ann are now undergoing medical assessment for possible separation surgery at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital. (SPA photo)

In an interview published on Saturday in Arab News, the twin’s mother, Maricel Misa, said that since her children were born seven years ago, she had been praying that one day someone would help them to live a normal life.

Misa, who owns a small shop with her husband in Lubang Island in Mindoro Oriental province, central Philippines, were unable to afford the expensive operation the twins needed. Her prayers were answered when she got a call from the Saudi Embassy in Manila and was told that the Kingdom was willing to help.

“We saw a post from Saudi Arabia about conjoined twins from the Philippines who had undergone surgery there, and I commented, saying I hope we can be helped too. Someone noticed my comment and reached out to me,” Misa said.

Since its founding in 1990, the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program has separated more than 140 children born sharing internal organs with their siblings. Among them were Filipino conjoined twins Ann and Mae Manz — joined at the abdomen, pelvis, and perineum — who were separated by Dr. Al-Rabeeah and his team in March 2004.

A second Filipino pair, Akhizah and Ayeesha Yusoph — joined at the lower chest and abdomen and shared one liver — were successfully separated in September 2024.

Al-Rabeeah said that the program “reflects the Kingdom’s principles of mercy and human solidarity without discrimination.”


A Saudi chef’s commitment to showcasing Kingdom’s cuisine on global stage

A Saudi chef’s commitment to showcasing Kingdom’s cuisine on global stage
Updated 18 May 2025
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A Saudi chef’s commitment to showcasing Kingdom’s cuisine on global stage

A Saudi chef’s commitment to showcasing Kingdom’s cuisine on global stage
  • Chef Mayram Atiq’s contemporary take on Saudi cuisine is winning hearts with every bite

MAKKAH: In the Kingdom’s burgeoning culinary scene, award-winning Saudi chef Maryam Marwan Atiq has emerged as a trailblazer, celebrated for her creativity and commitment to showcasing Saudi cuisine on the global stage.

With more than 15 years of experience, Atiq presents Saudi dishes in a contemporary, internationally appealing style without compromising its authentic essence. She is currently a member of the team of female Saudi chefs behind Tairat Al-Boulevard restaurant in Riyadh.

To Atiq, Saudi cuisine is not just a collection of recipes, but a “sea of flavors and ingredients” shaped by the Kingdom’s rich geographic and cultural diversity. This depth, she believes, gives Saudi food its distinctive character and its power to act as a bridge between cultures.

Through her participation in local and international exhibitions, Atiq has seen firsthand how Saudi flavors captivate people from around the world.

One of her most memorable encounters, she said, was with a man in his nineties who tasted jareesh for the first time at an exhibition. Deeply moved by the dish, his reaction reaffirmed her belief in the universal appeal of Saudi cooking.

“Food is the ambassador of culture,” she told Arab News. “And combining Saudi flavors and ingredients with international presentation techniques helps convey Saudi cuisine more quickly and accessibly, making it more appealing to international palates.”

Atiq praised the Ministry of Culture and the Culinary Arts Commission for their efforts in documenting and preserving Saudi food heritage. She herself has contributed to documenting traditional recipes from two regions of the Kingdom.

She also emphasized the role of online platforms in promoting Saudi cuisine to a global audience. Atiq called on media professionals and content creators to participate in this “cultural mission” that she is a major part of.

“I will continue my efforts to spread Saudi cuisine — , with our authentic flavors and cultural spirit — across the globe, making it a cultural ambassador worthy of the richness and diversity of the Kingdom,” she said.


Saudi ambassador attends send-off ceremony for Hajj pilgrims from Tajikistan

Saudi ambassador attends send-off ceremony for Hajj pilgrims from Tajikistan
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi ambassador attends send-off ceremony for Hajj pilgrims from Tajikistan

Saudi ambassador attends send-off ceremony for Hajj pilgrims from Tajikistan

Saudi Ambassador to Tajikistan Waleed Abdulrahman Alreshaidan attended the send-off ceremony for the first group of this year’s Hajj pilgrims departing from Tajikistan at Dushanbe International Airport.

Alreshaidan said that serving pilgrims is “an honor and a source of pride for the leadership of the Kingdom and its people,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A’lem Zadah, deputy chairman of Tajikistan’s Committee of Religious Affairs, thanked the Saudi government for the facilities it provides to pilgrims, the SPA added.


Saudi Arabia highlights museums’ growing role in heritage preservation

Saudi Arabia highlights museums’ growing role in heritage preservation
Updated 17 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia highlights museums’ growing role in heritage preservation

Saudi Arabia highlights museums’ growing role in heritage preservation
  • The session illustrated how museums can serve as dynamic platforms to showcase intangible heritage through immersive experiences

JEDDAH: The Saudi National Museum hosted International Museum Day celebrations in Riyadh on Saturday under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.”

The event brought together cultural and heritage experts, artists, and enthusiasts for a day of dialogue, workshops, and interactive sessions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It opened with a panel titled “Living Heritage in Rapidly Changing Communities,” followed by a thought-provoking session on “Museums and Change.”

Speakers discussed how museums can evolve to reflect and respond to the fast-paced transformations shaping modern society.

A highlight was an interactive session on “Saudi Storytelling and Performing Arts in Museums,” emphasizing the power of narrative in preserving cultural identity and passing values to younger generations.

The session illustrated how museums can serve as dynamic platforms to showcase intangible heritage through immersive experiences.

Another panel, “Technological Challenges in Cultural Heritage,” explored innovative ways to safeguard and share heritage using digital tools.

This theme was further explored in the workshop “Craft and Technology: The Art of Digital Weaving,” where participants examined the intersection of traditional crafts and modern digital techniques.

Throughout the sessions, participants stressed the importance of community engagement, reinforcing museums’ role as inclusive spaces for education, creativity, and cultural innovation in a rapidly changing world.

The event also featured additional panels and workshops on museums’ evolving role in preserving identity and addressing contemporary challenges.