Elevating Islamic Calligraphy: Celebrating A Unique Art Form
Calligraphy, known as ‘khat,’ demands both dexterity and a keen eye to create flawless works of art.
The term ‘khat’ refers to beautiful handwriting, typically produced with a brush or a special pen.
Arabic calligraphy is a traditional art form cherished by Muslims worldwide, and the Jawi script has adopted Arabic characters and writing techniques to produce exquisite artwork.
Common styles of khat used by calligraphers include Thuluth, Nasakh, Kufi, Farisi, Diwani, Diwani Jali, and Riq’ah.
This art form is highly esteemed within Islamic culture and serves as the script for the Quran, carrying profound significance and conveying messages of monotheism and devotion to Allah SWT.
KHATTAT
For local calligraphy artist Khairi Izat Amir, his deep passion for the art of calligraphy has fostered a profound love for this Islamic art form.
Sharing his journey, Khairi Izat, 31, revealed that he began exploring khat during high school by participating in various calligraphy competitions, ranging from school to national levels.
"Becoming a 'khattat' (calligrapher) is not an easy task; it took me years to master the art of calligraphy.
“I started by gaining experience through competitions during my school years, and later I delved deeper into the field while studying in Egypt. I then continued my education at Darul Quran in Tangerang, Indonesia, before pursuing Thuluth and Nasakh styles at IRCICA (Research Centre for Islamic History, Arts & Culture) in Turkey in early 2019," he told Bernama.
The writer agrees with this perspective after observing Khairi Izat calmly crafting Jawi calligraphy with a pen made of bamboo and wood.
His experience in the field allows him to create his artwork with confidence. The writer was also captivated as Khairi Izat dipped his pen into a small container of black ink, preparing to write several lines in Jawi script.
He said that with the correct technique, a khattat can produce neat and beautiful khat works, depending on the type of khat.
“Khat is a form of writing; however, as writers, we are bound by rules and methods that have been researched and established by experts in this industry. Khat writing cannot be done haphazardly or merely to complete letters or phrases.
"The techniques for writing khat must be learned because each piece has its own continuity, delicacy, and harmony. That's why to become an expert in khat, one must possess extensive knowledge and experience," added Khairi Izat, who previously contributed to the Warkah Persilaan for the installation ceremony of Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong last July.
According to him, the art of khat requires both dexterity and keen eyesight to create beautiful works, which are typically used to write verses from the Quran, surahs, and hadith.
However, calligraphers must be meticulous to ensure that Quranic verses are written accurately and are easy to read.
"For instance, the Thuluth style is commonly used for the names of surahs and decorations in mosques, including on domes and mihrabs.
“This style is characterised by its upright letters, which are crafted with a broad pen," he said, adding that he is currently active in teaching khat in various calligraphy-related programmes in Pahang.
SHOULDN’T FADE WITH TIME
Elaborating further, Khairi Izat acknowledged that in Malaysia, there is a lack of interest among many to learn and explore this Islamic art form.
While some students study khat, they often do not intend to pursue it further after graduation, he said.
"Additionally, the main factor influencing today's youth to learn the art of khat also depends on their environment and the changing of time. In this modern era, they are heavily influenced by gadget usage.
"Paper can easily be replaced by the 'Notes' app on tablets, and pens can be substituted with a stylus or digital pen. These advancements significantly impact the traditional writing tools, posing challenges for the khat industry in the country," he said.
He emphasised that khat has been the primary writing style in the Mushaf Al-Quran since the advent of Islam and continues to this day.
“Turkey (Turkiye) is an exemplary nation actively promoting the art of khat on the international stage and serves as a centre for the preservation and restoration of this art form.
"In fact, institutions like IRCICA, based in Istanbul, serve as a platform responsible for disseminating this art globally," he said.
However, he noted that recently, existing khat experts have been seen playing a proactive role in uplifting the khat industry in Malaysia.
“Many of these experts are involved in academia, government, the creative industry, or are self-employed, each playing a role in promoting khat in their respective fields.
"Such efforts are very positive and must continue to ensure the sustainability of the khat industry in the country, thereby ensuring that this Islamic art does not fade away with the passage of time," he said.
A similar viewpoint was echoed by calligrapher Ammar Yahaya, 23, at the Nasyrul Quran Complex in Putrajaya. He believes that an individual's attitude and determination are key driving forces behind becoming a khattat.
He said that khat itself is a special work of art that is very exclusive, with its own writing functions and techniques.
“Khat is a unique art form that is very exclusive, with its own functions and techniques. While many people in Malaysia express interest in the field of khat, few possess the passion and perseverance needed to continue learning and practising consistently. This continuity, or istiqamah, is crucial.
“In fact, there are many school students and a new generation eager to learn the art of khat. However, we lack structured platforms and curricula to produce quality and competitive khattat writers," he added.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Elaborating further, Ammar said not many people realise that calligraphy writing is a professional career, and Malaysia is home to internationally renowned calligraphers.
This includes Abdul Baki Abu Bakar, who was selected as the only representative from Southeast Asia among the 30 best calligraphers in the world.
He said trained calligraphers produce high-quality khat works that can capture the hearts of fans of this art form.
In recent years, calligraphy works have gained attention and demand for use as interior and exterior decorations in homes and buildings, as well as for commercial implementation on signboards.
"Malaysia is one of the leading countries in the field of khat writing, where we also have many internationally recognised calligraphers. The khat industry in this country is progressing as this art form is used around us in various shapes and platforms.
"However, efforts are needed to nurture and increase the number of new talents in this field to ensure the continuity of this art and to compete with larger countries such as Turkey, Egypt, and Indonesia, which are pioneers in the khat industry," he said.
Translated by Salbiah Said
