Islamic Calligraphy Competition

While more and more significance is given to preserving this culture, Islamic Calligraphy competitions are fast turning super-hot as a medium through which artists would create wonderful pieces, becoming an inspiration for beauty aesthetics in Arabic calligraphy. Islamic calligraphy, or khatati, has been an art which people in the Islamic world have loved for centuries. The unique fusion of artistic expression with spiritual value only makes it a significant part of the Islamic legacy.

Islamic Calligraphy Competition

Islamic calligraphy, also known as Arabic calligraphy art, is not a form of representation of writing; it is, in fact, a form of worship. It is generally used to represent pious verses from the Quran or the 99 Names of Allah (Asmaul Husna). As an art, its forms are created all over the world where many stylistic variations have been developed. Islamic khatati or calligraphy demands great expertise in many kinds of calligraphy that are often categorized into Kufic, Naskh, and Thuluth, among others.

Calligraphy for those in the Islamic traditions has a very, very special place, especially in the recording of names of Allah. Images of Allah names calligraphy is sometimes found on the mosque walls, religious books, and home- perfect examples of deep connections to the divine. This is not just a way of art for most artists; it is also a spiritual activity and they approach it reverently.

Competitions in Islamic calligraphy have numerous purposes. They are not merely an exercise in their artistic skills but also to recreate an old activity that is of such cultural and religious importance. The young artists will learn many types of calligraphic styles and learn new techniques at such contests, holding the traditional sensibilities. Many artists participate in competitions for the propagation of their unique renditions of Quranic verses, Allah names calligraphy, and other religious texts for a deeper, spiritual connection through their creations.

How to Participate in an Islamic Calligraphy Competition

Of course, a study of the traditional Arabic calligraphy methods and creativity in participation through an Islamic calligraphy competition requires a wide understanding of history and background about each script and its practice styles and precision. Another often-provided guideline for competition is acceptable themes that, as general rule, tend to revolve around Quranic verses or khatati and Allah names calligraphy.

Calligraphy events are also a platform for the arts to express their love for this beautiful art form. Beyond beauty, such events bring about culture and spiritual heritage. For the potential calligraphers and for those who take pleasure in this art, they are a chance to learn on a much more profound level about Islamic calligraphy and how it impacts both the world of art and that of the spirit.

• Even in Islamic calligraphy, spiritual connection always deals with Quranic verses or the religion of Islam. The intricate designs that are seen help in enhancing the spiritual connection of people with their god and also give a visual manifestation for the sacred texts.
• Cultural Identity: Calligraphy is an important part of the Islamic culture. It’s a beautiful visual element that has helped preserve and further assist in the promotion of Islamic cultural identity while showing age-old traditions and history of the world of Islam.
• Islamic calligraphy is the most appreciated form of art. It employs big styles and scripts to infuse gigantic creativity with neat compliance with aesthetic principles of arts in Islam. It stands unique and very captivating as an art mainly due to incorporation of geometry, color, and form additions.
• Calligraphy was used as a medium to store and pass on knowledge. Thus so many manuscripts and texts were embellished with beautiful calligraphy that they made a beautiful sight and helped the students learn more.
• Islam Calligraphy is used for decoration of the mosques, palaces, and other architectural buildings. The work of art adorns the design and imparts glamour and beauty to it and thereby makes an ideal marriage between aesthetics and functionality.
• It is in this sense that cultural appreciation is the richness of Islamic calligraphy affords, for it understands the cultural and religious nuances within the Muslim world; encourages intercultural dialogue and appreciation for the diversity of aesthetic expression among a wider Islamic community.
• Maybe there is healing and entering into the meditative state of mind either while thinking or making an Islamic calligraphy. Perhaps repetition and concentration on the writing or even outlining in calligraphy would help soothe a person’s self to inner peace and awareness about one’s surroundings.
• A calligraphy workshop and event really amalgamate people into the learning and practice of this art. It promotes, therefore, a setting of community wherein knowledge, experiences, and even appreciation for Islamic calligraphy among members become pertinent.
• The practice and patronage of Islamic calligraphy preserve traditions and pass them down to the next generations, keeping in touch with the past and ensuring that this cultural and artistic heritage will forever be extant.
• It transcends the borders of the cultures and is appreciated all over. It therefore acts as a bridge among cultures for understanding people coming from different walks of life through the universal language of art.

This gives the participants’ rules and regulations for them to be valid. Such guidelines have helped keep the integrity of competition for quality in terms of organization and that is fair as well regarding the Islamic calligraphy traditions.

Eligibility Criteria: 

• All participants are eligible for the competition, whether they are professional or amateur people.
• Participants are required to register within this deadline mentioned on our site. No late entry shall be allowed.
• In every category, one participant can submit only one artwork.

Artwork Specifications

• The work will emphasize the style of Arabic calligraphy, like Quranic verses or Allah names calligraphy and traditional Islamic khatati styles. Kufic, Thuluth, Naskh, Diwani, along with other accepted forms are permitted styles.
• Submissions must be the participants’ own works. Works based on copying or plagiarism of other works already done will be disqualified.
• These entries would be in digital mode only.

Submission Guidelines

• All paper or canvas submissions will be on paper or canvas of good quality. All digital entries submitted must be high-resolution, in JPEG and/or PNG and/or PDF formats.
• It should reach well before the entry deadline of the competition. No late entry would be accepted.

Evaluation Criterion

• Artwork should be valued for creativity, observance of the traditions of Islamic Calligraphy, aesthetic composition, and spiritual meaning.
• The calligraphy of the Arabic lettering should be bold. The judges will also verify if the verses or names of Allah in the art piece are correct.
• Decisions of the judges are final and no appeals will be entertained.

Copyright and Ownership

• All contributors retain the copyrights of their submitted work with the simultaneous reservation of the rights for the display and promotion of the works in this and subsequent competitions.
• All works submitted to an exhibition, a book, or any promotional media material with proper credit to the artist are included by the organizers.

Prizes and Awards

• At the end of the tournaments, the best people performing will be announced and awarded with certificates.

General Conduct

• Participants should preserve the rules and traditions of Islam and reflect that in their work and behavior at the competition.
• Any kind of obscene or inappropriate material will immediately disqualify one.