Mariam’s calligraphy chef-d'oeuvre mesmerises DIHQA audience

The Exhibition is being run in collaboration with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Emirati Calligrapher Mariam Ali Ahmed Al Balochi

Renowned Emirati Calligrapher Mariam Ali Ahmed Al Balochi while talking about one of her masterpieces to Ibrahim Bu Melha

Dubai – The Islamic & Arabic calligraphy exhibition being held on the sidelines of the 19th edition of the Award saw a distinguished magnum opus by the talented Emirati calligrapher Mariam Ali Ahmed Al Balochi.

Her spectacular design and calligraphy masterpiece, featuring a prophetic saying or Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which reads: ‘I have been only sent (by Almighty Allah) to perfect good ethics’, has mesmerized the Award audience.

The Exhibition is being run in collaboration with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) where the international Award is organised over the period from Ramadan 1 to 18.

The show is in line with DIHQA tireless effort to improve and promote Islamic and Arabic calligraphy abundantly is used in transcribing the holy Quran and decorating manuscripts and mosques here, according to a senior official.

Ibrahim Bu Melha, Head of the Award Organising Committee, who is also Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said the function is a quantum addition to the diverse activities of the competition annually held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“The Exhibition displays how government departments can typically collaborate to run events and exhibitions in an outstanding way, and give a boost to the position of the emirate of Dubai regionally and internationally.”

Renowned Emirati calligrapher Mariam Ali Ahmed Al Balochi, born in the UAE in 1978, is one of the most gifted Emirati female artists, and her calligraphy strokes of genius speak volume.

Being obsessed with Arabic and Islamic calligraphy and ornaments, Marian kept honing her skills and got intensive training at the hands of elite Arab calligraphers, such as Abdullah Al Tamimi, Ali Nada, Adnan Al Sharifi, and Mohammed Al Noori.

Nonetheless, Mariam obtained a bachelor degree in chemical engineering from the Al Ain University. She even continued her postgraduate studies until she got a master’s degree in environment sciences from the UAE University in 2008.

Mariam, who chairs the environment studies department at the General Civil Aviation Authority, has participated in so many calligraphy exhibitions locally, regionally and abroad.

Having full command of the art of Islamic and Arabic calligraphy, Mariam’s stunning calligraphy masterworks made her eligible for so many top awards of the Arabic calligraphy contests.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com 

• UAE