Unique Arabic calligraphy art exhibition in Dubai

Held at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association headquarters in Al Mamzar with best works of 21 award-winning contemporary calligraphers from nine countries going on display for seven days.

The annual show, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has been organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in cooperation with the Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), an arm of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).

At an impressive ceremony, the exhibition was opened by the DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, along with Mr. Sultan Saqr Al Suwaidi, Member of Federal National Council (FNC), Dr. Omar bin Sulaiman, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre, and Mr. Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of Dubai Cultural Council.

Also present were DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, Mr. Ibrahim bu Melha, Chairman of Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association, Mr. Abdullah Al Owais, Director General of Sharjah Culture and Information Department, and UAE poet, Mr. Jamal bin Howaireb.

Earlier, Mr. Hakam Al Hashimi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Dubai International Exhibition of the Arabic Calligraphy Art, and Mr. Ahmed Hassan, General Coordinator, welcomed the gathering.

A total of 70 selected works of 21 renowned Arabic calligraphers from nine countries, including six from the UAE, are on display. Four of the UAE calligraphers are females. The calligraphers participating in the exhibition are from Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Sudan and the US.

Exhibition will be open to the public from 5 pm to 10 pm. The exhibition will remain open exclusively for ladies on Saturday (February 24).

A glossy 80-page booklet showcasing the selected works and details about the calligraphers have been published. A series of lectures by the participating calligraphers will also take place alongside the exhibition. Also on show are the pens, ink and other tools used by the calligraphers. For the first time, an award for distinguished work of Arabic Calligraphy Art will be presented.

The exhibition is sponsored by National Bank of Dubai (NBD), Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and IRCICA.

Mr. Khalid bin Sulayem said the event has been designed to highlight a traditional form of art popular in the Arab and Islamic world. The works cover verses from the Holy Quran, Arabic Poetry, Proverbs and Sayings.