Arabic calligraphy: An art going extinct

© JASSIM MERAJ

Calligraphy was a wonderful craft ancient times ago, but nowadays it is fighting the extinction because of advanced technology. To learn more about Arabic calligraphy, read this article.

Have you ever wondered why Arabic calligraphy has always been unique? The calligrapher was the one who could professionally draw letters and their decorations. The Arabs have mastered writing since ancient times. Writing was a means of expressing what was inside a person’s mind, transferring knowledge, ideas, events and preserving this language from extinction.

Calligraphy embodies both spirit and prestige

Head of the Egyptian Calligraphers Syndicate, Massed Khdair, nicknamed "Khdair Al-Borsaidi," says that modern technology has affected the ability of Arabic calligraphers to withstand digital printing. He warned against the danger of the calligrapher’s profession being dying out, saying: "Arabic calligraphy represents the identity of Egypt and the identity of the Arabs; printing and digital writing erases this identity. Egyptian artists can write most types of fonts,", however, they make their own inks with their own hands, without having to use ready-made inks.”

The most famous calligraphy:

Ibn al-Bawab:

Abu al-Hasan Ali bin Abdul Aziz was one of the most famous calligraphers for his strong and beautiful style of writing. His peers used to admire his original Arabic calligraphy. Among his most important works is a pattern in the art of calligraphy and a Qur’an that was written in Baghdad in 391 AH. In addition to his creativity in calligraphy, he excelled in writing.

Hamda Al-Hablani, an Arabic language teacher, says “Arabic calligraphy will always have its splendor, prestige and originality. She also added that “the styles of manual calligraphy are unlimited, as the calligrapher can write in many shapes and angles,” she added. Unlike the fonts saved on the computer, Arabic calligraphy is unique as “handwriting feels more alive”.

Arabic calligraphy is a mixture of skill and art that not everyone can appreciate. I advise you to go to a calligrapher and ask him to write your name to see how wonderful your name can be. It’s only then that you will be able to feel the grandiose of this special profession.