RAWALPINDI: A calligraphy exhibition, displaying ancient manuscripts of the Quran besides Iranian antiquities, kicked off at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Friday.

Works by calligraphers Elahi Bux Mattee, Khawaja Mohammad Hussain, Mohammad Azeem Iqbal and Shabbir Ahmad Zia have also been displayed. The group show has been organised by the council in collaboration with the Iranian embassy.

Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib inaugurated the exhibition. It was attended by the people from all walks of life in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Vibrant colours have been used in the works to write the names of Allah and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). A graceful technique was used by all four calligraphers.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said Pakistan was created after countless sacrifices. “The system of the country is based on civilisation and justice where the government wants to bring every one under the rule of law,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had launched a successful employment programme for the youth.

Mr Habib said calligraphers were making the technique popular in the world. In the end, he congratulated the arts council, Khana Farhang Iran along with the calligraphers.

Speaking on the occasion, Iranian Cultural Consul Ehsan Khazai said the exhibition had 38 rare manuscripts in classical and ancient calligraphy done in Urdu, Persian and Arabic.

“They belong to the ancient manuscripts of the period from 8AH to 12AH. These calligraphy works include various poems including Shahnameh Ferdowsi, Gulistan-i-Saadi, Dastani Adab and Tarikh,” he said.

RAC Director Waqar Ahmed said calligraphy was valued all over the world, including Pakistan. “More steps need to be taken to spread calligraphy as an art form to other parts of the world,” he said and thanked special guests and participants at the end of the event.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2021