Quran audience spellbound by Ghannam’s calligraphy

Ghannam learnt the art of Arabic calligraphy from a number of masters including Mohamed Awzjari (Turkey) as well as Ibrahim Zeinali and Rasoul Muradi (Iran).

By Ahmed Shaaban (senior Reporter)

Published: Tue 30 Jun 2015, 2:33 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 3:16 PM

Dubai – Want to know about a notable master of calligraphy and a man of awards. He is the talented Iraqi artist Hakim Ghannam who was born in 1961 in Iraq where he got a degree in calligraphy from the Symphonic Studies Institute, Iraq.

His remarkable calligraphy chef-d'oeuvre, featuring the first and greatest seven-verse chapter of the holy Quran ‘Al Fatiha’ has spellbound the audience of the Islamic & Arabic calligraphy exhibition being held on the sidelines of the 19th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran.

He wrote: ‘In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful; Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path; the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked anger or of those who are astray.’

Ghannam learnt the art of Arabic calligraphy from a number of masters including Mohamed Awzjari (Turkey) as well as Ibrahim Zeinali and Rasoul Muradi (Iran). However, he was accredited by the renowned Turkish calligrapher Mohammed Ozcay.

Having had full command of the skills and secrets of calligraphy, Ghannam has become a member of the Iraqi Calligraphers Association, a member of the Organizing Committee of the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition (2007), a member of the Emirates Plastic Arts Society and General Coordinator of ‘Al Burda Award’, which is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development in the UAE.

He participated in a number of international art exhibitions in Denmark, Austria, Japan, Iran, France and the United Kingdom. His artworks were part of the charity auction organized by Christie's Auction House, Dubai. He received many honors and awards, including the Premiere Calligraphers Award, First Islamic World Calligraphy Festival in Tehran, 4th Place Prize, and 6th International Calligraphy Competition (IRCICA 2007) in Turkey.

He also won many prizes in the 3rd and 4th International Calligraphy Competition (IRCICA 2007) in Turkey, 4th place prize, 4th International Competition of Al Burda Awards, in the UAE, a prize in the 5th International Competition of Al Burda Awards, in the UAE, along with the first Prize (Classical Trend) in the Audio Visual Art Exhibition, Sharjah.

His long, rich and diverse experience as professional calligrapher has entitled Ghannam to be a member of the jury committees of many local and international art competitions and exhibitions.

Speaking of Ghannam's artworks, Iraqi art critic Rawdan Bahiyya said the creative career of calligrapher Hakim Ghannam clearly reflects his ability to wisely distribute his formations and skill in using color.

“For example, his artworks are characterized by great harmony between the letters and the decorations surrounding them. They reflect the artist's entire dedication to the art of calligraphy in all its forms and variations.”