Arabic Calligraphy in the Kingdom

Arabic Calligraphy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the arts that constitutes an essential part of the Kingdom's culture, serving as a symbol of its identity. It is utilized in all daily transactions requiring the use of the Arabic language in writing or reading. The Kingdom is keen on promoting this authentic Arabic art by offering specialized awards for Arabic calligraphy. Moreover, it has established numerous centers dedicated to the preservation of Arabic calligraphy, such as the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman International Center for Arabic Calligraphy.

Since the Founding of the Kingdom, the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud showed interest in Arabic calligraphy. He issued an order for the preservation of books teaching the art of Arabic calligraphy and manuscripts, ensuring they are protected against damage.

The Holy Quran is printed at King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex in Arabic script, both handwritten and digitally enhanced, as a part of an initiative that is the first of its kind globally. The aim is to introduce aesthetic improvements to Arabic calligraphy using advanced computer programs.

The main street signs and public roads in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah are distinguished by the Madani script, one of the prominent scripts in Islamic history. The 'Madani script' was used in inscriptions and writings on rocks in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. Furthermore, Arabic calligraphy curricula are taught in Saudi schools, accompanied by explanations and exercises in the art of calligraphy, prepared on the basis of principles and fundamentals.

One of the prominent Saudi calligraphers is Nasser Bin Abdulaziz al-Maimoun, known as the Dean of Saudi Calligraphers.

The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), being a specialized institution dedicated to serving the history, geography, literature, and heritage of the Kingdom, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Arab world, also places great emphasis on Arabic calligraphy. Therefore, it has undertaken numerous activities in this regard, including organizing a course in Madani script aimed at reviving and enhancing its use nowadays, as well as documenting its history. Additionally, the foundation has provided training for a group of calligraphers on this type of script.

The Ministry of Culture decided to designate 2020-2021 as "The Year of Arabic Calligraphy" as a part of an initiative launched to celebrate this Arab and Islamic art and reintroduce it into everyday life. The Ministry of Culture allocated a number of initiatives and events to serve Arabic calligraphy and promote its presence in society as a creative art linked to Arab culture and reflecting the cultural identity of the nation.

The Ministry of Culture established the first platform for teaching Arabic calligraphy called the "Calligrapher Platform." During the Year of Arabic Calligraphy, the jerseys of players in the final match of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup were adorned with Arabic script for the first time in the history of the local league. The Kingdom used Thuluth script to write the players' names on the jerseys.

The ministry also devised a special stamp for the Year of Arabic Calligraphy (2020-2021) to be affixed on passports, marking a pioneering initiative globally in this field. Under the umbrella of the "Year of Arabic Calligraphy" initiative, the Ministry of Culture organized an event for creating murals using Arabic calligraphy in ten regions across the Kingdom, during the period from August 2021 to January 2022, in partnership with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.

The Kingdom is committed to promoting this authentic Arabic art by offering dedicated awards for Arabic calligraphy. At the annual Souq Okaz Festival, the "Souq Okaz International Award for Arabic Calligraphy" is considered one of the most important local awards. It is awarded after winning a calligraphy competition for original, non-replicated artworks, in addition to competitions and awards presented by cultural and artistic associations, educational institutions, and cultural establishments.

In 2013, the "Dar al-Qalam Center" for teaching Arabic calligraphy was inaugurated in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. Subsequently, in 2020, the supreme approval was granted for establishing the "Prince Mohammed Bin Salman International Center for Arabic Calligraphy" in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, to serve as a global hub for calligraphy and calligraphers from all over the world. The center is under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, in coordination with the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah).

The Ministry of Education, represented by the General Department of Education in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province, also launched the National Olympiad for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Decoration in 2018. This initiative included workshops aimed at enhancing students' skills in public and private education, as well as in special education, focusing on Arabic calligraphy, Islamic decoration, and Arabic letters. It enables students to qualify for regional and international competitions.