Arsh Al-Harf Forum in Al-Baha brings together 68 calligraphers to promote Arabic script

The Arsh Al-Harf Forum continues at Dar Awadhah in Al-Atawlah, Al-Qura Governorate, Al-Baha region, bringing together 68 leading calligraphers from across Saudi Arabia and several other countries for five days of activities.

Forum Executive Director Mansour Madis said the calligraphers are eager to showcase their work to international guests, benefiting from their feedback and artistic guidance. He noted that face-to-face meetings are a key goal of the forum, enabling the transfer of expertise between generations and fostering an environment that encourages learning and development. This, he added, helps preserve Arabic calligraphy and strengthen its status as a prominent Islamic and Arab art form.

Sheikh Othman Taha, renowned calligrapher of the Holy Qur’an and guest of honor at the forum, said the event offers an important opportunity for calligraphers to exchange ideas and experiences, further developing their skills and enhancing the standing of Arabic calligraphy among younger generations. He emphasized that such initiatives help refine talent and encourage practitioners to continue innovating.

Exchange of expertise and talent development

Several participating calligraphers presented their works to Sheikh Othman Taha, who reviewed and discussed them, focusing on the fundamentals and aesthetics of calligraphy to help improve their work and hone their skills.

Participants stressed that the forum highlights the region’s cultural richness, opens new horizons for engaging with Arabic calligraphy, and helps restore this ancient art as a symbol of national identity.

Al-Baha: a hub for young talent

Al-Baha is home to more than 52 calligraphers, along with many young talents who actively participate in initiatives, intensive training courses, and local events under the supervision of the relevant association. Recently, a group of Al-Baha’s leading calligraphers took part in the Wahyain Script Forum at King Abdulaziz Foundation, aiming to showcase methods of writing the Holy Qur’an and Hadith and to train calligraphers in this specialized field.