Arabic Calligraphy Art show runs until February 28

Accompanied by Mr. Bilal Al Budoor, Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Mr. Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of Dubai Cultural Council, and Mr. Hakam Al Hashimi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Dubai International Exhibition of the Arabic Calligraphy Art, the minister toured the exhibition at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association headquarters in Al Mamzar on Friday.

Mr. Owais has a word of praise for the DTCM for its initiative to hold an exhibition to promote Arabic Calligraphy art in the UAE on an annual basis.

The minister took time off to visit the exhibition hours after returning from a hectic visit of Spain along with the UAE Foreign Minister Mr. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He held discussions with the DTCM officials and participating calligraphers about the works on display.

Running until February 28, the fourth edition of the annual show is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

It 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).

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.

The exhibition is sponsored by National Bank of Dubai (NBD), Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and IRCICA. Exhibition will be open to the public from 5 pm to 10 pm.

A glossy 80-page booklet showcasing the selected works and details about the calligraphers have been published. 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 works cover verses from the Holy Quran, Arabic Poetry, Proverbs and Sayings.