ISLAMABAD: The advisor to prime minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) on Wednesday announced that the artistic journey of the calligrapher of the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) Mosque, Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman will be published in a book for transferring this glorious Islamic art legacy to the younger generation.
He was addressing a ceremony arranged by the newly established calligraphy wing of the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) in the honour of Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman.
Irfan Siddiqui said that it is a matter of great honour for the country that a Pakistani calligrapher is privileged enough to have his calligraphic works on the walls of the holy mosque “Masjid-i-Nabwi”.
He said that his division is taking several measures to promote and revive the great Islamic art of calligraphy and for transferring this legacy to the future generations.
He said that the division has achieved success in this mission during a short span of time through arranging calligraphic exhibitions at national and international levels, establishing the first-ever calligraphic wing and compiling a directory of calligraphers.
He said that Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman is fortunate enough to get an opportunity to live in Madina tul Munnawara and render great calligraphic contributions for years till present.
Irfan Siddiqui said that Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman was selected through a calligraphy competition among Arabs and non-Arabs for serving at the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque.
The Arabs hold a significant place in the field of calligraphy while Turkish artists have also earned huge name and respect.
Selection of Pakistani calligraphers in that competition reflect that the Pakistani calligraphers have a great potential to excel in this field, if are given patronage at the government level.
Speaking on the occasion, Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman thanked the advisor to prime minister, Irfan Siddiqui and the NLPD chairman, Iftikhar Arif for acknowledging his calligraphic contributions.
Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman said that he has no words to express his gratitude over such appreciation and such a warm welcome given by the audience.
Prominent calligraphers, Khalid Yousafi and Rasheed Butt termed the calligraphic works of Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman as extraordinary and said that Shafiq-uz-Zaman is greatly inspired from Ustad Abdul Majeed Parveen Raqam who was a calligrapher of Allama Iqbal’s poetry.
Appreciating the efforts of NH&LH Division under the supervision of Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui for the promotion of calligraphy, they said today’s ceremony to pay tribute to Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman is actually a way to revive the neglected art of calligraphy.
Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui presented gifts to Ustad Shafiq-uz-Zaman while the artists from far-flung areas including Shafqat Ali Javed, Muhammad Shakeel Tabbasum and Muhammad Hanif also presented art pieces to him for expressing their love.
A number of young calligraphers, students and officials of NLPD and NH&LH Division attended the ceremony.
