DUBAI, 12th June, 2017 (WAM) -- Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, has approved the ninth session of the Ramadan Forum for Quran Calligraphy, which is organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development from 23rd to 25th of Ramadan at the Festival City in Dubai.

The forum is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak and in the presence of 30 calligraphers from 16 Arab, Islamic and foreign countries who will write 30 parts of the Holy Quran over the course of three days in Al Thuluth script, a variety of Islamic calligraphy, for the first time in the history of the forum.

Sheikh Nahyan stressed that the Ministry of Culture exerts extra efforts to ensure the success of the forum, as it is one of the important international events organised by the ministry throughout the year. Through this event, the ministry aims to enhance the value of Arabic language and arts. "The participation of calligraphers from more than 16 Arab, Islamic and European countries is a proof of the success of the forum, which combines the great spiritual value of the Holy Quran and the sophisticated creativity of Islamic artists and calligraphers," he said.

Shekih Nahyan pointed out that the selection of Al Thuluth script this year is a true leap in the march of the forum due to its beauty and difficulty, making it a challenge for the calligraphers highlighting their potentials and creativity within the general rules set by the ministry to write the Holy Quran this year.

"Over the past years, the calligraphy forum, along with the International Burda Award, reflected an exceptional case in the march of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic decoration, making the UAE the centre of the attention of international calligraphers. We can proudly say that the UAE, through such important events, has paved the way for the development of Arabic calligraphy and the revival of many scripts which today's calligraphers have forgotten about," he said.

Sheikh Nahyan praised the great support given to such cultural events by the wise leadership represented by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the Supreme Council members, which is positively reflected on all cultural, knowledge and artistic fields, making the UAE an international destination for world artists, calligraphers and intellectuals.

The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development explained the conditions of the work, saying it should be written in Al Thuluth script, detailing the scale of the pens, type of paper, as well as the unification of the quality inks, taking into account its resistance to erosion and thus lasting for longer periods of time.

The ministry says that it will retain the full copy of the Holy Quran signed by all the participants in the forum, with the date of its completion.

The jury of the forum includes Mohamed Ozjay from Turkey, Abdul Reda Bahia Dawood Al Fargawi from Iraq, Dr. Obeida Mohammed Saleh Al Banki from Syria and Mohammed Al-Tamimi from Turkey.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.