First Qatar International Arabic Calligraphy Competition “Al Raqim” Winds Up in Doha
Doha, February 18 (QNA) – The first Qatar International Arabic Calligraphy Competition “Al Raqim” was concluded on Tuesday, following top-tier attendance from officials and international guests.
HE Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, honored the winners in this contest which featured hundreds of calligraphers from around the globe.
HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani, emphasized that the contest aimed to highlight calligraphy as an integral part of civilizational heritage, stressing that Arabic calligraphy is a sacred art form shaped by divine inspiration, which has served as a vehicle for conveying science and art through the epochs.
He hailed the ministry”s efforts represented by the organizing committee and Qatar Museums represented by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), alongside members of the jury committee who exhibited a phenomenal expertise in Arabic calligraphy.
Chairman of the organizing committee of Al Raqim, Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al Marri, said the competition was intended to preserve the Arabic language and recognize its calligraphy as an inveterate art with a brighter future, highlighting that Al Raqim helps discover talents and promote Arabic calligraphy.
Al Marri noted that the contest represented an invaluable opportunity to foster rapprochement with global calligraphers, emphasizing that Al Raqim is part of a broader vision to enhance inter-civilizational dialogue, alongside the Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims to maintain the Arab and Islamic heritage and foster cultural exchange among nations. He highlighted that the event was a confirmation of Qatar”s effective role in supporting arts and culture.
Director of MIA Shaika Nasser Al Nassr, hailed the museum”s participation in this international competition, underlining that it strives to be a cultural hub that promotes Islamic arts around the globe, thereby offering exceptional opportunities for the public to get familiarized with calligraphers” creative skills.
The participants expressed their delight at this event that shines a spotlight on Arabic calligraphy as an art that manifests talents and promotes them globally. (QNA)
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