ISLAMABAD: An exhibition of Islamic calligraphy opened at the Satrang Gallery on Tuesday, featuring the work of Rasheed Butt and Turkish artist Ferhat Kurlu.

The exhibition, titled Hurouf, was organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Turkey and announced by the chief guest, Ambassador of Turkey S. Babur Girgin.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, who visited the exhibition, described it as a confluence of spirituality and culture. “The show by master calligraphists connects us with God and the holy book,” he said.

Satrang director Asma Khan explained to visitors that ‘hurouf’, the Arabic word for ‘letters’, in the context of the exhibition means the “art of the letters”.

“Calligraphy or khushkhati is a part of most cultures and languages. It is deeply embedded in Islamic traditions, perhaps because of the emphasis on writing, reading and knowledge-seeking in Islam. In addition, Islamic Arabic calligraphy was originally used to write out the Quran, religious prayers and the names of God,” Ms Khan said.

She said that as the Islamic empire expanded over the centuries to include Ottoman Turkey, Iran and India, the Arabic calligraphy script absorbed new influences. The Ottoman, Persian and Mughal dynasties celebrated and explored the practice of calligraphy, and held it in high esteem.

“Eventually, different styles of calligraphy became identifiable, the Kufic, for example, is a more geometric and distinctly rhythmic form that was preferred in the Arab peninsula. In Iran, the famous scribe Muqlah Shirazi developed a cursive technique called Nashk. Other varieties, such as the Diwani style of calligraphy which was invented by the Ottoman scribe Housam Roumi during the late 16th century, were also popularized,” she said.

The exhibiting artists have a distinct signature or manner to their work. Mr Butt, one of Pakistan’s foremost calligraphers, has dedicated his life to the art and considers it to be his fate and destiny. He has exhibited his work all over the world, and is the recipient of a Pride of Performance award.

Guests were also introduced to Mr Kurlu, a calligrapher from Turkey who has received several prestigious international accolades and is the imam at the Hac? Alaaddin Elmas Mosque. Mr Kurlu was born in Fatsa, Turkey, in 1976, and his teachers discovered his talent for sculpture and painting when he was a teenager.

Mr Kurlu said he enjoys sharing his new pieces with his teacher and fellow calligraphers for their feedback.

“I believe that the art of Islamic calligraphy develops the human soul,” he told guests.

He said he still receives lessons in the Taliq script from Hasan Celebi and is also working as an imam. He said he continues to produce calligraphy pieces and teach students at the mosque where he works.

Mr Butt told gallery visitors that he began calligraphy in 1961, and is fascinated by the timeless and captivating message of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

“It is a matter pride to know that my hand is an instrument in creating delightful expression of this divine message. I feel honoured that the Almighty has bestowed upon me this opportunity to spread this divine message to audiences worldwide. My work in Islamic calligraphy is my fate and destiny, to which I have dedicated my life,” he said.

Youth Parliamentarian Alumni Secretary General Ibrahim Khan, who visited the exhibition, said: “Rasheed Butt inspires viewers in how he connects with God when creating art.”

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2017