MIA opens calligraphy exhibition

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is showcasing 28 exhibits of some of the most ancient calligraphic forms of various Arabic scripts at its galleries this evening onwards. The exhibition, held under the patronage of the Chairperson of the Qatar Museum Authority HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, is the MIA's first-of-its-kind showcasing work of several calligraphists who participated in workshops organized by the museum's Education Center, organisers told the media during the preview of the exhibition Tuesday afternoon. The 28 calligraphies are sketched by eight participants using Kufic, Diwani, Jeli Diwani , Persian (Nasta''iq) and Thuluth scripts and supervised by Calligraphy Department Head Elsaid Al Ansari. The calligraphists whose works are on display are Mohammed Salem Al-Humoud (11 calligraphies), Mohammed Al Mashahadani (3 calligraphies), Nasser Al Kuwari (1 calligraphy), Fatima Ali (7 calligraphies), Mouna Koubaisy (3 calligraphies), Ibtihal Said (1 calligraphy), Mariam Al Fhaid (1 calligraphy), and Sara Abdulrahman (1 calligraphy). It took around five months to prepare for this exhibition due to the extensive work required for each calligraphy. The process starts with choosing the text, then studying the letters and applying the strict rules defined by the ancients. The outcome was a number of magnificent calligraphies characterized by unique beauty, museum officials said. The calligraphy workshops organized by MIA's Education Center is one of the key projects to promote calligraphy in the Qatar, officials added.