Muhammad Mujahid Syed Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – “Urdu calligraphy has its roots in the history of Semitic scripts. As one knows Arabic calligraphy is based on the Arabic script, which had evolved in different Islamic and non-Islamic countries during the heydays of Arab and Islamic civilizations.,” said Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Ibne Kaleem while highlighting the dawn of calligraphy to a literary gathering at Al-Ruwais district. Ibne Kaleem, inventor of Khatte Ra'ana in Urdu calligraphy and a master of all seven Arabic calligraphic styles chaired the literary gathering and Mushairah of Majlis-e-Ilm-o-Adab, Jeddah. Ibne Kaleem in his address elaborated that “to a great extent Qur'anic calligraphy is different from traditional calligraphy. In its essence Urdu calligraphy can be called an extension of Hijazi culture.” “During Abbasid period, Arabic calligraphy became very popular worldwide. Being the followers of a monotheistic religion, while constructing buildings and mosques, Muslim artists and calligraphers were not allowed to decorate walls with the pictures or idols. “So Arabic, Persian and Ottoman Turkish calligraphy is associated with abstract arabesque motives on the walls and ceilings of mosques, buildings and as well as on the pages of the books. Kufic, Nasta'leeq, Naskh, Thuluth, Ruqqa'a and Deewani scripts enriched Urdu calligraphy in the Indian Subcontinent. “Arabic script opened the door of a great dialogue with different non-Arab cultures. And the Qur'anic calligraphy became a movement of elegance and unparalleled beauty in the oriental and world cultures. Urdu script and a composite culture came into being as the result of a peaceful encounter and dialogue between Islamic and Indian civilizations. In its essence Urdu script can be called an extension of Hijazi culture,” said Ibne Kaleem in his address. The poets and intellectuals present at the gathering acknowledged the facts. Mujahid Syed in his speech said, “Since Ibne Kaleem has been able to complete the aesthetics of Khatte Ra'ana, we should accept it as a beautiful and serious style and a valuable addition to the treasure trove of Urdu calligraphy.” Faisal Tufail said, ”Ibne Kaleem has brought about a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity in Khatte Ra'ana.” “Ibne Kaleem will always be remembered in the realm of Arabic and Urdu calligraphy for the invention of Khatte Ra'ana and now the people living in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries have started recognizing his services in the field of calligraphy,” Badruddin Aali said while shedding light on the contribution of Ibne Kaleem in Urdu and Arabic calligraphy. After the prose session a Mushairah was organized. Anwar Hussain, Faisal Tufail, Muhammad Mukhtar Ali and Mujahid Syed recited their poems. Convener of Majlis-e-Ilmo Adab, Jeddah, Syed Faizan Ahmad recited a poem of veteran Indian poet Syed Ehsan Bastavi that was sent from India. Faisal Imtiyaz was master of ceremonies. In the beginning of the program a few verses of the Holy Qur'an were recited by Adam Mukhtar. Ibne Kaleem's Naat was well received. Ahmad proposed a vote of thanks.
