Islamic calligraphy exhibit features young artists

Artworks of over two dozen young artists placed on display at PUCAR calligraphy exhibition

ISLAMABAD:

The artworks of over two dozen young artists went on display at an Islamic calligraphy exhibition organised by the Punjab Council of the Arts (c) Rawalpindi.

Senator Talha Mehmood of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam—Fazl group was the chief guest and inaugurated the exhibition on Wednesday.

While addressing artists, Senator Mehmood talked about the close relationship between Islamic calligraphy and the Holy Quran.

Islamic calligraphy is not based on the belief that photography is prohibited in Islam, said the senator. “It is because Islam places great importance on writing.” He said that holy book was a miracle and added that it was due to that Muslims experienced the beauty of Islamic calligraphy.

The senator lauded the young practitioners of Islamic calligraphy, including those whose work were on display at the exhibition. He also lauded the PUCAR for its role in promotion of Islamic Calligraphy.

Naheed Manzoor, another prominent cultural figure, said that the calligraphy has a special place in our culture. She added that the provincial government was committed to the promotion and development of all genres of arts.

PUCAR Director Waqar Ahmad said that Islamic calligraphy presented writing as well as calligraphy in an artistic way. It is usually seen in countries with a common Islamic culture and heritage, he added.

The artists with pieces of Islamic calligraphy on display at the PUCAR exhibit included Shabbir Ahmed Zia, Ayesha Nosheen, Jazeb Ali Qureshi, Sadia Rana, Nazia Sultan, Kaiba Noor, Faiza Khan, Sania Shabbir, Muhammad Zeeshan, Huzaifa, Tehrim Bashir, Touba Waqar, Zainul Abedin Shafi, Tahira Imran, Aziz Jalal Hosni, Sidra Younis, Iqra Maqsood, Sundas Mehk, Komal Jameel, Hadiya Khan, Noor Fatima, Sameera, Faizan Malik, Imtsal Malik, Laiba Irshad, Manza Nusrat and Meahk Afzal. At the end of the event, appreciation certificates were distributed among the artists. The exhibition will continue till Friday, September 1.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2023.