Sharjah to Honor Three Creatives at Calligraphy Forum This October

As Part of the 12th Edition

Al Qaseer: The Vision of Sharjah’s Ruler Has Strengthened the Global Presence of Arabic Calligraphy

Sharjah

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the 12th edition of the Sharjah Calligraphy Forum, scheduled to take place next October under the theme “Balance,” will honor three distinguished figures in Arabic calligraphy: Emirati calligrapher Ali Al Hammadi, Moroccan academic and specialist in Arabic calligraphy Belaid Hamidi, and Egyptian calligrapher and visual artist Khalifa Al Shimi.

On the forum’s opening day, solo exhibitions dedicated to the three honorees will be inaugurated at Calligraphy Square, showcasing selected works that reflect their artistic journeys and contributions to the development of Arabic calligraphy. The exhibitions will remain open throughout the forum, offering visitors and enthusiasts the opportunity to explore a diverse range of creative experiences and aesthetic visions presented by the honored artists.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Department of Culture in Sharjah and Director of the Forum, said that, with the patronage and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Sharjah Calligraphy Forum continues to strengthen its position as a global cultural and artistic platform celebrating the beauty of the Arabic letter and fostering dialogue among diverse creative experiences. He noted that the forum’s achievements over previous editions reflect its distinguished standing on the international map of Arabic calligraphy.

Al Qaseer added that honoring the three creatives comes in recognition of their artistic and scholarly contributions to the service of Arabic calligraphy, whether through their creative practices or their research and documentation efforts. He emphasized that the forum remains committed, in every edition, to celebrating figures who have played a significant role in advancing this art form and enhancing its presence regionally and internationally.

He further explained that the new edition will feature a range of high-quality programs and exhibitions exploring the evolving relationship between the Arabic letter and visual arts. Alongside the honorees’ solo exhibitions, the program will provide audiences with the opportunity to engage with diverse artistic experiences that reflect the richness of Arabic calligraphy and its ongoing capacity for renewal and contemporary expression.

Speaking about the forum’s theme, “Balance,” Al Qaseer said: “The theme of the new edition carries broad artistic connotations, offering calligraphers an expansive vision for creativity in producing calligraphic works. It also evokes multiple meanings that enhance the aesthetics of the art form and reflects the creative energy of calligraphic works that attain a distinctive artistic status through their unique identity.”

He noted that since its launch in 2004, the Sharjah Calligraphy Forum has succeeded in creating an interactive space that brings together calligraphers, artists, and researchers from around the world. He affirmed that the forum continues to present new perspectives inspired by the depth of Arab and Islamic heritage while keeping pace with contemporary artistic and aesthetic developments.