Articles
Impressions of
a Murakkaa
Mohamed ZakariyaZakariya’s discovery of a murakkaa at the Metropolitan Museum ignited a deep fascination with Islamic calligraphy, leading to studies in Istanbul under master calligraphers. He unveils and travels through the historic calligraphic work of Seyh Hamdullah, a key figure in Ottoman calligraphy, who refined the nesih script and produced numerous sacred works.
The Avant la Letter
of Islamic Calligraphy in North America
Nihad DukhanKnown for his precision, humility, and generosity, Mohamed Zakariya blends artistic mastery with a spirit of lifelong learning, a master calligrapher and artisan whose dedication to Islamic calligraphy and traditional crafts has left a lasting impact on the art form. Dukhan highlights Mohamed Zakariya’s deep knowledge, precision, and generosity as a teacher.
The Kitab ash-Shifa
of Qadi Iyad
Mohamed ZakariyaOne of the most popular and beloved books among Muslims. Like the Delail ul-Khayrat, it is one of the most copied works by scribes and calligraphers, the best copies of both being of Moroccan or Ottoman provenance. They are legendary.
An Introduction to Sheyh Hamdullah
Mohamed ZakariyaZakariya writes an introduction to Sheyh Hamdullah, a key figure in the tradition of Arabic calligraphy, particularly in the 15th-16th century Ottoman Empire. His calligraphy, especially his innovative and lively nesih script, revolutionized the art form, making it more dynamic and influential across the empire.His teaching methods shaped the calligraphic tradition for generations, and his students continued to spread his techniques, creating a lasting legacy in the art of calligraphy.
Calligrapher
Nihad Dukhan
Respects Tradition
as He Creates
Modern Designs
Eleni ZarasEleni Zaras of the Washington Report highlight calligrapher, Nihad Dukhan, a mechanical engineering professor and master calligrapher from Gaza, blending traditional Arabic calligraphy with modern design. Trained in Thuluth, Naskh, and Taliq scripts, he creatively reinterprets Arabic words by shaping letters to reflect their meaning. His work, exhibited internationally, aims to make calligraphy more accessible to both Arabic and non-Arabic speakers.
Ottomon Style Calligraphy
Mohamed ZakariyaZakariya outlines the evolution of Arabic calligraphy, starting with Sheyh Hamdullah (c. 1436-1520), who transformed Ottoman calligraphy and whose methods were passed down through generations, influencing notable calligraphers like Hafiz Osman, Kadiasker Mustafa Izzet, and modern artists such as Mohamed Zakariya and Nihad Dukhan. He also details the lineage of the Talik script, tracing its development through key masters.
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