Name: Golden Letters: Arabic Calligraphy Workshop
Start: 2025-09-28T10:30:00+04:00
End: 2025-09-28T13:30:00+04:00
Location: Nas House

Golden Letters: Arabic Calligraphy Workshop
Arabic calligraphy is one of the most celebrated art traditions in the Islamic world. With origins stretching back more than a thousand years, it continues to flourish in both traditional and contemporary contexts. In recognition of its significance, UNESCO inscribed Arabic calligraphy on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, describing it as “the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace, and beauty.” This acknowledgement highlights both its historical value and its enduring role as a living art form that adapts beautifully to the present.
The Meaning of Calligraphy
In the Islamic world, calligraphy was never just an artistic pursuit but also a devotional act linked to the Quran. Writing beautifully became a way of honoring the divine word, and the practice itself was seen as meditative, requiring harmony between hand, eye, and spirit. Its presence elevated mosques, manuscripts, textiles, coins, and everyday objects into expressions of faith. Beyond religion, calligraphy also embodied refinement, lending dignity and beauty to seals, fabrics, and administrative texts.
Styles and Scripts
Over the centuries, many distinctive scripts emerged, each with its own identity and function. Thuluth, admired for its sweeping vertical strokes and large curves, is often found in monumental architecture and Quranic manuscripts. Diwani, developed during the Ottoman era, is celebrated for its ornamental and flowing style, suited to ceremonial use and decrees. Kufic, one of the earliest scripts, is defined by its angular, geometric forms, while Naskh, rounded and highly legible, became widely used for books and documents. Ruq’ah introduced simplicity and speed for daily writing, Muhaqqaq was reserved for grand headings, and Nastaliq, influenced by Persian aesthetics, became the script of poetry and literary works.
Practice and Technique
The discipline of Arabic calligraphy relies on precision, proportion, and rhythm. Each script follows strict geometric rules, with letters measured against a dot created by the pen’s tip. Calligraphers traditionally use the qalam, a reed pen carefully shaped to produce strokes of varied thickness, and inks mixed for depth and flow. Surfaces range from parchment to textiles. Training demands years of practice, where repetition and discipline gradually transform strokes into harmony. In this way, calligraphy becomes both an artistic and meditative pursuit.
Masters and Legacy
Arabic calligraphy has been shaped by generations of great masters. In the 10th century, Ibn Muqla introduced proportional systems that remain foundational. Sheikh Hamdullah in the 15th century refined Ottoman styles that influenced the Islamic world for centuries. More recently, artists like Hassan Massoudy and Samir Sayegh have reimagined the art form, blending tradition with contemporary creativity. Their work illustrates the adaptability of calligraphy, rooted in heritage yet open to innovation.
Calligraphy Today
Far from being confined to history, Arabic calligraphy thrives in modern design, digital media, and fine art. Its endurance lies in its ability to balance tradition with innovation, offering a creative bridge between past and present.
Our workshop, Golden Letters, invites participants to experience this extraordinary tradition firsthand—exploring its history, styles, and techniques. Whether you are an art enthusiast, designer, or curious learner, this is an opportunity to engage with an art form that has inspired generations and continues to shape creativity across cultures.