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Arabic Calligraphy

Calligraphy is one of the most versatile, disciplined and rich practices of Islamic art, and a highly respected tradition in Islamic culture. Islamic calligraphy is a tribute to the Arabic language, which is the revered language of the holy Quran. Thus, it is not only a form of writing but also a form of spiritual expression. Al Burda Award has long recognised masterful works of both classical and modern Islamic calligraphy, embracing traditional, contemporary, and typographic styles alike.

Categories & Criteria

Classical Arabic Calligraphy

The traditional Arabic calligraphy category focuses on the artistic practice of handwritten Arabic script. Artists are required to creatively integrate both Thuluth and Jali Thuluth scripts in their compositions.ions.

  • The theme of the work must reflect the focus of the Al Burda Award and its theme for this year, which is ‘Social Cohesion and Unity’.  Artworks that do not adhere to this theme will be disqualified.
  • The artist must employ a combination of regular Thuluth and Jali Thuluth scripts on a sheet not exceeding 100 cm in Height and 80 cm in width, and it must contain the following Quranic text:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ﴾

Surah AlHujurat -verse13

 

  • The use of treated (Ahar) paper is required for the work, and the calligrapher has the freedom to choose the appropriate pen size for the composition.
  • The calligrapher has the freedom to use the appropriate ink colours for the work in accordance with his artistic vision.
  • Linguistic and spelling accuracy must be adhered to in writing, and in the event of Qur’anic errors in terms of vowels or forgetting some words, the work will be excluded from judging.
  • The work must not contain the artist's signature. If a signature is present, the work will be disqualified.
  • The artwork must not include any ornamental decoration.
  • Submit the artwork digitally by uploading it through the submission form on the award's website. All submissions must be of high visual quality:
    • Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
    • Preferred format: PDF, or high-resolution PNG/JPEG
    • Files must be clearly labelled with the artist’s name and artwork title
  • Physical artworks should be sent in a securely packaged roll, without a frame. The artist must write the reference number on the back of the artwork.

 

 

Prizes
  • 1st Prize:  AED 70,000
  • 2nd Prize:  AED 50,000
  • 3rd Prize:  AED 40,000
  • 4th Prize:  AED 30,000
  • 5th Prize:  AED 20,000
Contemporary Arabic Calligraphy

The Contemporary Arabic Calligraphy category seeks to showcase the artist's creativity in using Arabic letters and scripts inspired by verses from Imam Al-Busiri's ‘Al-Burda’ poem.

  • The work must reflect the focus of the Al Burda Award and its theme for this year, which is ‘Social Cohesion and Unity’, drawing inspiration from the verses of Imam Al-Busiri's ‘Al-Burda’ poem:

“  محمدٌ سيدُ الكونينِ والثقلين ...... والفريقينِ من عربٍ ومن عجمِِ ”

  • The artwork dimensions must be 150 x 150 cm, and it must be done on a canvas.
  • The artist has the freedom to choose the types of pigments, materials, colours, and scripts.
  • Traditional calligraphy in its various forms and other innovative scripts can be used as complementary parts of the artwork, but not as the primary focus.
  • Linguistic and orthographic accuracy must be maintained in the writing.
  • The rationale and thought process behind the artwork should be clearly explained.
  • The work must not contain the artist's signature. If a signature is present, the work will be disqualified.
  • Submit the artwork digitally by uploading it through the submission form on the award's website. All submissions must be of high visual quality:
    • Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
    • Preferred format: PDF, or high-resolution PNG/JPEG
    • Files must be clearly labelled with the artist’s name and artwork title
  • Physical artwork must be sent in a securely packaged roll, without a frame. The artist must write the reference number on the back of the artwork.

 

Prizes
  • 1st Prize:  AED 70,000
  • 2nd Prize:  AED 50,000
  • 3rd Prize:  AED 40,000
  • 4th Prize:  AED 30,000
  • 5th Prize:  AED 20,000
Typographic Design

The Arabic Typographic design category encourages experimentation, innovation, and creativity in contemporary typographic design. This involves arranging the shapes of Arabic letters and text using digital Arabic fonts and scripts. The competition focuses primarily on the aesthetics of composition and design, inviting participants to explore various creative interpretations of traditional Arabic script forms and generate new shapes inspired by verses from Imam Al-Busiri's ‘Al-Burda’ poem

  • The Arabic Typography Design must reflect the focus of the Al Burda Award and its theme for this year, which is ‘Social Cohesion and Unity’ drawing inspiration from the verses of Al-Busiri's ‘Al-Burda’ poem:

 “  محمدٌ سيدُ الكونينِ والثقلين ...... والفريقينِ من عربٍ ومن عجمِِ”

  • Submissions can be abstract representations of letter forms and do not need to be legible as long as they are expressive. The use of illegible letter forms must be justified in the written description or submission title.
  • The design must be original and devoid of clichés.
  • It should effectively incorporate modern typographic rules pertaining to alignment, spacing, and rhythm.
  • It should be adaptable to digital or print mediums.
  • It should uphold the aesthetic and structural characteristics of Arabic script.
  • It should showcase the spirit of Arabic or Islamic cultural identity in a contemporary way.
  • The design concept, process, rationale, and thought process behind the work must be well articulated by the artist
  • The artist is free to choose the artwork’s dimensions, provided they maintain an aspect ratio of 16:9.
  • The artist is free to choose the orientation that best suits the artwork, while maintaining a 16:9 or 9:16 aspect ratio as following:

    • Landscape: the width is greater than the height.

    • Portrait: the height is greater than the width.

  • Should ensure the adaptability of the design for digital or print mediums.

  • Submissions should not consist of logos or typographic patterns unless they are part of a comprehensive visual composition.
  • The submitted Artwork must be original and should not have been previously used for any purposes.
  • The artwork must be submitted digitally by uploading it through the submission form on the award's website. All submissions must be of high visual quality:
    • Minimum resolution: 600 DPI
    • Preferred format: PDF, or high-resolution PNG/JPEG
    • Files must be clearly labelled with the artist’s name and design title
  • Physical artworks must be sent in a securely packaged roll, without a frame. The artist must write the reference number on the back of the artwork.
Prizes
  • 1st Prize:  AED 70,000
  • 2nd Prize:  AED 50,000
  • 3rd Prize:  AED 40,000