Efforts to Protect and Revitalize Heritage
Qatar is witnessing a renewed presence of Arabic calligraphy that goes beyond traditional exhibitions to include architecture, arts, and public spaces, as part of official and cultural efforts aimed at preserving and promoting this art as a component of Arab and Islamic identity. These efforts are distributed among the Ministry of Culture, the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Qatar Museums, the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the Public Establishment for the Cultural District "Katara", Qatar University, and the Public Works Authority "Ashghal".
Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Qatari Ministry of Culture, Mubarak bin Abdullah Al Thani, affirmed that Qatar's accession to the Arabic file for Arabic calligraphy inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022 reflects the importance of this art as a common bond in Arab cultural identity. He noted that the Ministry organizes the international "Al-Akhlaq" Prize for Arabic calligraphy, aimed at preserving traditional rules and enhancing the aesthetic and educational values associated with it, as well as attracting calligraphers from around the world.
From Manuscripts to Public Space
Qatar Museums contribute to preserving historical collections and studying the evolution of Arabic calligraphy schools. The collections of the Museum of Islamic Art include Quranic papers in Hijazi script dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries AD, a Kufic Quran from the early 10th century, and a Quran from Al-Zubarah dated 1806. The presence of calligraphy has extended to public space through the Public Art program, which utilizes letters in murals and sculptures, such as the "Caligraffiti" project comprising 52 murals on Salwa Road, and works in the Solidarity Tunnel and the Post Office Park.
For his part, the Educational City Mosque "Al-Minaratayn" used Thuluth and Ijazah scripts in its design, while the Public Establishment for the Cultural District "Katara" continues to organize exhibitions and workshops, including the "Dialogue of Letters between Qatar and China" exhibition held in April 2025 with the participation of 37 calligraphers. The Public Works Authority "Ashghal" has also employed Arabic calligraphy in public utility projects to enhance Qatar's visual identity.
Education and Talent Discovery
Education forms a fundamental axis in the sustainability of Arabic calligraphy, as the Ministry of Education and Higher Education works to embed it in curricula and enrichment programs, with the participation of 479 students from 24 schools in the second edition of the "Raqim" competition. Qatar University supports this trend through the creation of the "Midad" Arabic calligraphy club, while the study of Arabic letters at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Design in Qatar expands to include graphic design and digital media.
Basma Hamdi of the "Type Arab" research lab explained that educational programs allow students to study the structure, history, and proportions of Arabic letters, and experiment with them using contemporary techniques that combine historical manuscripts and digital design. Specialized art centers play a complementary role in discovering talent; the Visual Arts Center organizes courses to teach calligraphy rules, while the Souq Waqif Art Center provides training programs supervised by specialists from beginner to advanced levels.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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