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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 artistic practice of handwriting and calligraphy based on the Arabic alphabet. The artist is required to creatively combine the Rayhani and Jali Muhaqqaq scripts in an original and innovative composition.

  • The work must reflect the Al Burda Award’s thematic focus for this year, namely “Family.. Tranquillity and Compassion.” Works that do not comply with this theme will be disqualified.
  • The artist must combine the Rayhani and Jali Muhaqqaq scripts.
  • The calligrapher may choose to follow either the Qur’anic orthographic style (rasm Qur’ani) or the standard orthographic style, provided that the same convention is applied consistently throughout the entire artwork.
  • The Award adopts a “flexible workspace” approach, without imposing fixed linear dimensions, provided that the total area of the artwork ranges between 0.8 and 1 square metre. The artist is free to determine the length and width in accordance with their artistic vision, so long as the specified total area is respected. This approach is intended to enhance freedom of expression and encourage innovation and creativity in the submitted works. The artwork must include the following Qur’anic text:

 ﴾ وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ  ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنْبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا ﴿  Surah An-Nisa’, Verse 36

  • The artwork must be executed on muqahhar (treated/burnished) paper, and the calligrapher is free to use the pen size most appropriate for the artistic composition.
  • The calligrapher is free to use the ink colours deemed suitable for the work, in accordance with their artistic vision.
  • The text must be written with full linguistic and orthographic accuracy. Any Qur’anic errors, including mistakes in diacritics or omission of words, will result in disqualification from judging.
  • The work must be produced in accordance with the established artistic principles of classical calligraphy. The use of printing techniques and similar non-manual methods, including masking techniques or any other non-handmade processes, must be avoided.
  • The artwork must not bear the artist’s signature. Any work containing a signature will be disqualified from judging.
  • The artwork must not contain any ornamentation.
  • A digital image of the artwork must be submitted through the application form on the Award’s website, in accordance with the following specifications:
    • Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
    • Preferred formats: PDF or high-resolution PNG/JPEG
    • Each file must clearly bear the artist’s name and the title of the artwork
  • Submissions from winners of first or second place in any Award category will not be accepted in the edition immediately following the one in which they won. They may apply again starting from the second edition following their win. (For example, a winner in the nineteenth edition is not eligible to apply in the twentieth edition, and may apply again starting from the twenty-first edition.)
  • The original artwork must be sent in a securely packaged roll, unframed, and 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,

  • The artwork must reflect the Al Burda Award’s theme for this year, namely “Family.. Tranquillity and Compassion.” Any work that does not align with this theme will be disqualified.
  • The Contemporary Arabic Calligraphy work must reflect the following Prophetic hadith:

"خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ، وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِي" 

  • The artwork must measure 150 x 150 cm, while allowing sufficient margin for the framing of the piece.
  • The artist is free to choose the type of pigments, materials, colours, and styles of script to be used, provided that the work is executed on canvas.
  • It is permissible to use traditional calligraphic styles in their various forms, as well as other innovative scripts, provided that they serve as a complementary element within the artwork rather than its primary basis.
  • The text must be executed with full linguistic and orthographic accuracy.
  • The artist must provide a statement explaining the conceptual thinking behind the artwork, including a description of the work and its title.
  • Artists must avoid repetition or derivation from artworks by previous Al Burda Award winners.
  • The artwork must not bear the artist’s signature. Any work containing a signature will be disqualified from judging.
  • A digital image of the artwork must be submitted through the application form on the Award’s website, in accordance with the following specifications:
    • Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
    • Preferred formats: PDF or high-resolution PNG/JPEG
    • File naming: each file must clearly bear the artist’s name and the title of the artwork
  • Submissions from winners of first or second place in any Award category will not be accepted in the edition immediately following the one in which they won. They may apply again starting from the second edition following their win. (For example, a winner in the nineteenth edition is not eligible to apply in the twentieth edition, and may apply again starting from the twenty-first edition.)
  • The original artwork must be sent in a securely packaged roll, unframed, and 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 seeks to encourage experimentation, innovation, and creativity in contemporary typographic design, expressed through the arrangement of Arabic letters and text using digital Arabic typefaces and scripts.
The Award places primary emphasis on the aesthetics of composition and design, while also inviting participants to explore creative interpretations of traditional Arabic scripts and to generate new typographic forms derived from them.
The Typography Design category was introduced to highlight the continuous and unbroken connection between the traditional heritage of Islamic arts and its ongoing expression in contemporary design.
This category was established to engage contemporary graphic designers and to support the development of innovative type designs and letterform compositions using the Arabic script.

  • The work must reflect the Al Burda Award’s theme for this year, namely “Family.. Tranquillity and Compassion.” Any work that does not align with this theme will be disqualified.
  • The Arabic Typography Design work must reflect the following Prophetic hadith:

"خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ، وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِي"

  • The text must serve as the primary design element, and submissions must demonstrate expressive and creative use of letterforms.
  • The work must integrate Arabic calligraphy with the principles of typography—such as balance, alignment, and spacing—while preserving the distinctive aesthetic qualities of Arabic script and embodying the spirit of Arab culture in a contemporary manner.
  • All works must be original and previously unused, and the design must be distinct from conventional or repetitive styles. Submissions must not consist merely of a logo design.
  • The script or letterform composition used in the work must be designed and drawn by the participant. The use of pre-existing computer fonts or artificial intelligence techniques will result in disqualification.
  • The participant must provide a statement explaining the conceptual thinking behind the artwork.
  • The artist is free to determine the size of the artwork, provided that it maintains a 16:9 aspect ratio and is suitable for both print production and digital display.
  • The submission must be made in digital format through the application form available on the Award’s website. The artwork must be of high quality in terms of visual clarity and must comply with the following specifications:
    • Minimum resolution: 600 DPI
    • Preferred formats: PDF or high-resolution PNG/JPEG
    • File naming: each file must clearly bear the artist’s name and the title of the design
  • Submissions from winners of first or second place in any Award category will not be accepted in the edition immediately following the one in which they won. They may apply again starting from the second edition following their win. (For example, a winner in the nineteenth edition is not eligible to apply in the twentieth edition, and may apply again starting from the twenty-first edition.)
  • The original artwork must be sent in a securely packaged roll, unframed, and 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