Calligraphic art on display at PAC

Senator says exhibition promotes love for Holy Prophet (pbuh)

RAWALPINDI:

An Islamic calligraphy exhibition opened at the Punjab Arts Council on Monday, featuring the works of (late) Aftab Ahmed Khan.

The exhibition was organised in connection with the celebration of Eid Miladun Nabi. Special guests Senator Talha Mehmood and Naheed Manzoor attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Mehmood said calligraphy as an Islamic art is deeply rooted in divine revelation. The scribes of revelation are highly regarded in Islam and there are 42 of them.

"The exhibition's purpose is to promote the love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) through colourful Quranic verse artworks. Artists demonstrated their dedication to Islam through their creative expressions," he said.

During the event, Naheed Manzoor said that when the calligrapher borrows these words from the Quran, Hadith and spirituality, this art is connected with the ancient traditions of calligraphy.

Waqar Ahmed, the Director of the Arts Council, affirmed that the Punjab Arts Council stands as a hub of literature and culture.

He acknowledged the Department of Information and Culture's achievements, with talented individuals receiving a warm reception for their portrayal of the allure of Islamic calligraphy art and culture.

On Monday, the Punjab Arts Council hosted a Mehfil-e-Sama to commemorate Eid Miladun Nabi (S.A.W).

Waqar Ahmed, the Director of the Arts Council, was the special guest at the event, where he witnessed a captivating performance by the renowned Qawwal Raja Hamid Ali, receiving applause from the audience.

Waqar in his address emphasized the significance of Qawwali as a distinctive form of emotional expression, highlighting its historical role in spreading Islam in the Indian subcontinent and its beautiful expression of love and devotion to Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He expressed confidence in the continued flourishing of the art of Qawwali in Pakistan.

He further noted that Mehfil-e-Sama was recognized for providing spiritual comfort to folks and historically, Qawwali had served as a means through which Sufi saints conveyed messages of peace, love, brotherhood and tolerance.

He added that even today, listening to Qawwali performance could transport listeners to a world free from hatred and narrow-mindedness.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2023.