OPEN CALL The 10th International Calligraphy Competition

Photo above: From the archive of IRCICA / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

$ 137,000 will be distributed to 66 prizes and mentions in the 11 categories of writing styles: Jaly Thuluth, Thuluth, Naskh, Muhaqqaq-Reyhani, Jaly Ta'liq, Ta'liq, Jaly Diwani, Diwani, Kufi, Rik'a and Maghribi.

In line with IRCICA's tradition of dedicating each of its competitions to an exemplary master of this art, the 10th competition is devoted to Hafiz Othman (1051-1109 H./1642-1698 AD). The purpose of this international competition is to revive and promote the classical art of Islamic calligraphy. Thus, it aims to encourage artists of Islamic calligraphy to produce works remaining within the framework of the traditional spirit and rules and to protect it from trends which emerged outside of the classical principles. This attempt will provide a common ground for all Muslim calligraphers to exchange their knowledge and experiences, and enable the development of a commonly appreciated artistic taste among Muslims all over the world.

Earlier, IRCICA dedicated the first international competition (1986) to Hamid al-Amidi (1891-1982), the second (1989) to Yaqut al-Mustasimi (d. 1298), the third (1992) to Ibn al-Bawwab (d. 1022), the fourth (1997) to Sheikh Hamdullah (1429-1520), the fifth (2000) to Sayyid Ibrahim (1897-1994), the sixth (2003) to Mir Imad al-Hasani (1554-1615), the seventh (2006) to Hashim Muhammad al-Baghdadi (1917-1973), the eighth (2010) to Muhammed Badawi al-Dirani (1894-1967) and the ninth (2013) to Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoÄŸlu.

Hafiz Othman (1051-1109 H./1642-1698), whose name the 10th competition will bear, lived and died in Istanbul. He studied calligraphy with eminent masters of his time and later introduced innovations of his own. Among his works are 25 mushafs (copies of the Holy Quran), parts of the Holy Quran, the book Dala'il al-khayrat which is a book of prayers and sayings in praise of the Prophet first collected and arranged by Shaykh Sulayman al-Jazuli (d. c. 1470). Numerous copies of this book began to appear in the early 18th century. Hafiz Othman was the first calligrapher to write the description of the qualities of the Prophet in the form of a plate, called Hilya al-Sharif.

The Jury Members

• Dr. Halit Eren, Director General of IRCICA and Chairman of the Organising Committee;

• Dr. Abdulridha Baheya Al-Farjawee, Iraq;

• Mr. M. Jalil Rasuli, Iran; Mr. Fuad BaÅŸar, Turkey;

• Mr. Mossad M. M. Khodeir, Egypt;

• Mr. Obida M. S. Al Banki, Syria;

• Mr. Belaid Hamidi, Morocco;

• Mr. Davut BektaÅŸ, Turkey.

The Honorary Members

• Mr. Ahmed Ziya Ä°brahim, Saudi Arabia;

• Mr. Hasan Çelebi, Turkey;

• Prof. Dr. Hüsrev Subaşı, Turkey;

• Dr. Mohammed Cherifi, Algeria.

To receive all information about the Terms and Conditions and the Participation Form ( in English, Arabic or Turkish language) please send a request to: Calligraphy Competition Secretariat, IRCICA, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).