Minister of Endowments Inaugurates Qatar International Arabic Calligraphy Competition

Doha: HE Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, on Tuesday, inaugurated the first edition of the Qatar International Arabic Calligraphy Competition (Al-Raqeem). Organized by the Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar) in collaboration with the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), the event was launched at Qatar Museum and is considered the largest contest in the international Arabic calligraphy with its multiple types and highest value of prizes that reaches QR 1 million. General Manager of Fanar and Chairperson of the organizing committee Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al Marri affirmed that the contest came to enhance Qatar's works and its civilizational role worldwide and epitomize the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, in entrenching its cultural role in the Middle East and the world. Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al Marri added that the contest effectively promotes cultural exchange among nations in support of superb cultural initiatives which are evaluated t hrough a whole-of-government approach in the State of Qatar to serve the Holy Qur'an and consolidate the significance of the Arabic language, in addition to exploring further human's creative capabilities in Arabic calligraphy with its numerous types in appreciation of its value as effective means of sharing civilizational culture among nations. He commended MIA's collaboration in organizing this productive cultural and civilizational project that reinforces Qatar's global, scientific, and cultural efforts, thus creating a bridge of beauty among nations and combining spirit with words in support of the Arabic language, nurturing the national and Arab identity, reviving Islamic culture and its arts and forging dialogue and cultural exchange among nations. Dr. Al Marri highlighted that those who are willing to compete in this contest can review the specifics of the Qatar International Arabic Calligraphy Competition's branches, conditions, and prizes via the competitions website: www.alraqim.qa The contest is a biennial event and constitutes a wonderful opportunity to explore the calligraphers' talents worldwide. Also, it encourages the Qatari and Arab youth to hone their competitive skills in this inveterate art, which offers great chances for both genders whose ages are over 18 to participate at home and abroad, Dr. Al Marri pointed out. He underlined that the contest emerges as a symbol of human engagement among calligraphers in the enduring message of Islam to safeguard the religion and language of the Holy Qur'an, highlighting that it forges understanding among nations through the Arabic language by being a message of collaboration and peace from the land of Qatar to forge acquaintances and solidarity for human. To mark this occasion, Director of MIA Shaika Nassr Al Nassr she is delighted and honored to share this momentous and inspired inauguration ceremony of the Qatar International Arabic Calligraphy Competition at MIAs venue, adding that she is grateful for harmonization among the state institutions to make a major breakthrough in one of the most prominent cultural initiatives in Qatar through this event which garners the highest value of prize globally. Following the inauguration ceremony, the organizing committee held a press conference to declare the competition's branches, conditions and prizes, with the chairman of the organizing committee unveiling five branches in Arabic calligraphy, namely Thuluth Jali and Thuluth 'Adi, Naskh script, Jali Nastaliq script, Diwani Jali script, and Kufic Mushaf script. The judging panel consists of five senior calligraphers from around the world. Source: Qatar News Agency