Exhibit features Islamic calligraphy

Works of art present calligraphic renditions of Quranic verses, names of Allah

RAWALPINDI:

A joint exhibition displaying works of Islamic calligraphy was organised at the Punjab Arts Council (PAC).

More than 80 works of calligraphy were featured as part of the show. The works showcased included calligraphy of Quranic verses, Asma-al-Hasna and Asma-al-Nabi.

The artists whose work was featured at the exhibition included Muhammad Azim Iqbal, Muhammad Younis Rumi, Khurram Babri, Samaiha Khaliq, Zulfiqar Ali Ghazi, Shabbir Ahmad Zia, Ayesha Nusrat, Muhammad Zeeshan, Faiza Khan and Moniza Nusrat.

The special guest at the event was the Iranian Embassy’s Cultural Attaché, Dr Mehdi Tahiri. The PAC Director Muhammad Shakur was also with him on this occasion.

Special guest, Dr Mehdi Tahiri said while reviewing the featured works, “Islamic calligraphy has a very close relationship with the Quran and Quranic verses and surahs are well used in this style of calligraphy.”

He further said that, “Islamic calligraphy is not based on the belief that painting is prohibited in Islam, but because writing and writing-related matters are given great importance in Islam. The main focus of Muslims attention is the word of Allah, it is the miracle of the Quran that Muslims were exposed to the pure art of Islamic calligraphy.”

PAC Director Muhammad Shakoor added on to that by saying that creation is the attribute of Allah Almighty, everything that exists between the earth and the sky has been created by Him. The artworks on display are giving true colour to nature, artists have captured the beautiful scenes of nature in colours.

“Colours do not need language. Colours speak their language. Artists always play a positive role in society. We should attract the younger generation towards art along with narrative education,” he said.

At the end of the ceremony, the chief guest distributed certificates of appreciation to the

calligraphers. A large number of people from the twin cities participated in the exhibition.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2024.