Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Opens 12th Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale
The Ruler of Sharjah inaugurates a landmark cultural celebration of Arabic calligraphy, honouring international artists and recognising three distinguished practitioners who have enriched this ancient art form.
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, graced the opening of the 12th Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale on Wednesday evening, a prestigious cultural gathering organised by the Department of Culture. The festival unfolds at Calligraphy Square in the Heart of Sharjah district through 15 November, presenting an internationally significant platform for contemporary and classical Arabic calligraphy.
The prestigious occasion saw His Highness bestow awards recognising exceptional artistic achievement. Artist Farhad Yassin from Iraq received the Grand Award for his rendering of Surah Ar-Rahman, whilst the Authentic Style category honoured four outstanding works: Abdulbaqi Abu Bakr of Malaysia for Ahd Al-Muslih, Ahmed Jalaluddin of Indonesia for Khutbat al-Wada’, and Mahfouz Dhannoun of Iraq for Ayat al-Kursi and Qasidat al-Burda.
The Modern and Contemporary Calligraphy Art Award recognised three practitioners for their innovative approaches: Shaimaa Hito from Germany for Fann, Namia Nizar from India for Tasurru al-Nazireen, and Hussain Abdulmohsen from Saudi Arabia for Al-Harf al-Arabi wa al-Sadu. The Jury’s Special Award was presented to Mahmoud Al-Abadi, a UAE calligrapher and artist, for his work Khayrukum Khayrukum li-Ahlihi.
In recognition of their transformative contributions to Arabic calligraphy, His Highness also honoured three distinguished cultural figures: Ali Al Hammadi, the renowned Emirati calligrapher; Belaid Hamidi, Moroccan academic and specialist; and Khalifa El-Shimy, the distinguished Egyptian calligrapher and visual artist.
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir, Director of the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale, noted that the festival was established two decades ago under the Ruler’s direction, reflecting His Highness’s profound vision of Arabic calligraphy as essential to Arab cultural heritage. Now in its twelfth edition, the Biennale has established itself as a preeminent international reference point, fostering practitioners and catalysing new artistic possibilities for this classical art form.
The current edition represents an ambitious celebration, presenting 681 artworks and calligraphic pieces by 272 artists from around the globe, complemented by 90 programming events including exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and seminars. The festival showcases the rich artistic dialogue between traditional aesthetic principles and contemporary visual expression, demonstrating the continued vitality and international relevance of Arabic calligraphy.
His Highness toured the participating exhibitions, viewing works from 145 international artists, and visited the Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy’s exhibition My Family, My Paradise, which celebrates the family’s role in maintaining Islamic values, national identity, and cultural continuity through artworks inspired by Quranic verses, Prophetic teachings, and classical poetry.
Source: WAM