Quick answer: Arabic calligraphy is written in several classical scripts. Kufic is angular and geometric, the oldest major script. Naskh is clear and rounded, used for copying the Qur'an and the basis of most printed Arabic. Thuluth is large, elegant and curving, used for monumental inscriptions. Diwani is flowing and tightly interlaced, created for Ottoman court documents. Ruq'a is the quick everyday handwriting script, and Maghribi developed in North Africa and Al-Andalus. Contemporary artists, including those shown in Tashkeel's 2026 exhibition Salam, use these traditions as a starting point for new work, available in the Calligraphy collection.
Why calligraphy matters in Arab and Islamic culture
In Islamic tradition, writing holds a special place because it carries the words of the Qur'an. As a result, calligraphy became one of the highest art forms in the Islamic world, decorating mosques, palaces, coins, ceramics and manuscripts. Calligraphers trained for years under masters, and proportion was measured precisely using the rhombic dot made by the tip of the reed pen (qalam).
The main scripts
Kufic
Look for: straight lines, right angles, strong horizontals. History: named after Kufa in Iraq, it was used in early Qur'an manuscripts and architectural inscriptions. Square Kufic even turns words into grid-like patterns, almost like pixel art centuries before computers.
Naskh
Look for: small, rounded, highly legible letters. History: refined in the 10th century, it became the standard script for copying books and is the ancestor of most Arabic typefaces today.
Thuluth
Look for: tall vertical strokes, sweeping curves and words stacked in elegant compositions. History: the "script of scripts", used for mosque inscriptions and grand headings. It is considered one of the most difficult to master.
Diwani
Look for: letters that flow into one another in tight, rhythmic curves, often with no vowel marks. History: developed for Ottoman royal decrees (the diwan was the royal chancery), partly to make documents hard to forge.
Ruq'a
Look for: short, simple, slightly slanted letters. History: the practical script of everyday handwriting across much of the Arab world.
Maghribi
Look for: wide, generous curves and distinctive letter endings. History: the script of North Africa and Al-Andalus.
Contemporary calligraphy: breaking the rules on purpose
Many contemporary artists study the classical scripts and then stretch them: they turn letters into abstraction, combine calligraphy with graphic design, or use colour and scale in new ways. Tashkeel's group exhibition Salam (14 March to 28 April 2026), with designer and calligrapher Ibrahim Zaki as curator, presented during Ramadan, brought together 20 artists exploring Arabic letters as carriers of compassion, patience, mercy and inner peace. Works from the exhibition include:
- Gardens of Refuge 1 and He Is with You Wherever You Are 2 by Sami ElDabae.
- The Qur'an, Prayer and Alif Lam Meem by Salma Hesham.
- Indeed, We Have Adorned the Lowest Heaven with Lamps and Hope by Toka Assal.
- Insha'Allah 1 and Peace 1 by Wael Morcos.
- Peace and Peace and Love 2 by Wissam Shawkat.
- The Name of God 1 by Ibrahim Zaki.
Many of these prints are 70 x 100 cm on enhanced matte paper. Wissam Shawkat, creator of the Al Wissam script, also held a solo exhibition at Tashkeel in early 2026; see the Al Wissam Script collection.
How to choose calligraphy art
- Know the text. Many works quote the Qur'an or prayers. Ask what it says so you can place it respectfully.
- Placement: sacred verses are usually hung at eye level or higher, in living rooms, majlis or prayer areas, and not in bathrooms.
- Mood: geometric Kufic suits minimalist interiors; flowing Diwani and Thuluth suit classic or warm spaces; abstract contemporary pieces suit modern homes and offices.
- Scale: a 70 x 100 cm print can anchor an entire wall.
For translations of contemporary typography posters, see What Does It Say?.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest Arabic calligraphy script?
Kufic is considered the oldest of the major classical scripts.
Which script is used in printed Arabic?
Most Arabic typefaces are based on Naskh.
What is a qalam?
The traditional reed pen used by Arabic calligraphers, cut at an angle to create thick and thin strokes.
Where can I buy contemporary Arabic calligraphy in Dubai?
In the Calligraphy collection and the Salam collection on the Tashkeel shop.
Prices and availability change, so check the product page for the latest.
