Arabic script has been an important part of Islam’s cultural heritage for centuries. The spread of Islam during the eighth century had a deep impact on every aspect of people's life including their perception of art. The desire and effort to reproduce in beautiful and creative characters the Holy Qu’ran’s words eventually generated the new art of Arabic Calligraphy in Muslim societies. The art is particularly popular in Pakistan where artists adopt different calligraphic styles but share the common desire of using their creativity to depict the words of God.
Art aficionados had a chance to attend the Alla’ma bil Qalam Arabic and Qur’anic Calligraphy Exhibition organized by the Consulate General of Pakistan. The four-day exhibition, which finished on Tuesday at Jeddah’s Sheraton Ballroom, was installed in order for Pakistan to showcase its achievements but also in consideration of global interest surrounding the art. The Christian kings of Europe used Arabic inscriptions and calligraphic designs to decorate their palaces, furniture and coins, the exhibition’s official website explains. Even today the art has found its place in societies across the world. Its treasures are housed in Western and Islamic museums.
Thirty-one calligraphers exhibited their works in the Khat Kufi, Deewani, Thulth, Naskh and Nastaleeq styles and 16 of them held their workshop alongside their work presentation: Chief Khattat of Masjid Al Nabvi Al Sharif, Shafiq Uzzaman Khan and former Naqqash of Masjid Al Nabvi Al Sharif, Asghar Ali, Khalid Javed Yousufi, Ahmed Anver, Aslam Kamal, Elahi Baksh Mutee, Hafiz Anjum Mehmood, Ibn-e-Kaleem, Rana Riyaz, M.A. Bukhari, Maqsood Ali, Mohammad Ali Zahid, Mohammed Ali Qadri, Mohammed Asif, Mohammed Kashif Khan, Mohammed Rashid Seyal, Ibn-e-Nadir, Tasneem Inam, Khurshid Gohar Qalam, Irfan Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Ashraf Heera, Rehan, Shabana Nazeer, Shahid Sandhu, Sumaira Amin, Wasel, Abdul Azeez, Hafizullah, Muhammad Ahmed and Shafiq.
Being present at the event’s opening, Arab News interviewed some of these talented calligraphers. “The art of calligraphy brings solemnity and subdued serenity to the soul,” calligrapher Kashif Khan explained.
Afrah Faiz, a 24-year-old calligrapher, has similar feelings regarding powerful emotions calligraphy is able to generate in artists. “I started calligraphy as an additional course but fell in love with it. I tried to express the characteristic impressions we have of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and painted the 99
names of Allah and Qur’anic scriptures.”
Artists agree in considering calligraphy a primary form of cultural identity and an important heritage for the Arab-Muslim world. Their aim is to nourish passion and love for this art. “At the moment, we established a calligraphic course at Karachi University,” Kashif Khan explained. “We believe calligraphy is a treasure and that getting people closer to it will help in preserving the art.”
