By Mohammad Amar Ma’ruf, Charge d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tripoli - Libya

Ramadhan always gives special moment for peoples to understand the content of Al Qur'an, as the bestow and Rahmah from Al Khalik to the world.  This understanding has developed many sophisticated products through studying, observing, and implementing the message mentioned in Qur'an. No doubt, the Qur'an guides people to be useful for other peoples and its environment.

 Understanding the Qur'an has opened the way for people to be part of an active player for the advancement of Knowledge and science, including art.  This advancement has contributed to the emergence of civilization. Civilization that respect humanity, environment and its Creator.

The presence of Qur'an within communities is a big phenomenal and changes the way on how the revelation words are documented. The Qur’an is written in Arabic. This situation created the Special persons who can write those revelation word in order to be able to be used and read again.

 The understanding Qur'an by special talented person introduce to us the way of writing on surah mentioned in Qur'an which is well known as Calligrapher or Khat artist. The ways or style of writing of Calligraphy which has transcendental esthétique meaning, are varied. These invite people to know more something beyond the verses.

To maintain and generate value of transcendental meaning and esthétique of calligraphy among peoples while appreciating also the big contribution of the artists or painters in the world in general, including Libya, the Islamic Center of the Special Region of Jakarta in collaboration with the Regional Government of Jakarta has organized the Third International Calligraphy from 15 to 22 April 2022 at the Jakarta Islamic Center Building North Jakarta under the theme of The Power of Qur'an.

So far, 102 artists from 26 countries took part in this exhibition. 71 artists are from Indonesia, while 31 are foreign artists from 25 countries. The twenty-five countries are India, Malaysia, Iran, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Pakistan, Morocco, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, America, Syria, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Libya/Mohamed Haron, Yemen, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

As being explained by one of the curators, Mr. Ilham Khoiri, this exhibition presents a variety of visual interpretations. Diversity in the choice of verses of the Koran, in the visual approach, as well as the final result as a work of art. In terms of verse choice, many artists display popular verses. The diversity can also be seen from the visual approach taken by the artists. All the symptoms of the visual approach actually show the independence of the artist in processing visual elements.

This uniqueness is increasingly felt when we dissect the various styles of calligraphy. Some artists firmly maintain the classical calligraphy style according to the rules. We see many popular khats, including Nakshi, Tsulust, Kufi, Pharisee, Dewaniy, or Dewaniy Jali.

Some other artists try to go beyond the classic style and try a more flexible style. Generally they are artists with an academic background in fine art (fine art). Some works reflect traces of digital processing. This is an effort to embrace the new visual technology revolution. Some artists also make calligraphy from three-dimensional media, such as sculptures, or carvings. In this way, the art of calligraphy can be present in the community through many doors.

In the end, the diversity of verse choices, visual expressions, and calligraphy styles in this cast reflects the openness of the potential of Arabic calligraphy to continue to be developed. Classical, modern, contemporary, digital, three-dimensional styles, all of which should be encouraged to continue to be tweaked so as to find fresh new visual achievements.

This exhibition is interesting because it invites all of us to pay more attention to art as an aesthetic dimension of of Islam. This invitation is expected to promote the aesthetic side of Islam. To see its virtual Exhibition, please click this link:

https://www.pamerankaligrafi.com/?fbclid=IwAR1vljrHaOzWK3nh9wgwsjC9Ku1qmFfci2d0R_F2t3jbhZwT5JF1X4ccE3g

For the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tripoli, the ongoing Exhibition is an opportunity to be referred  for local artists like Libya which very well-known and has abundance of artists community especially painter in Khat.The Embassy also has received appreciation from local painter  such as Mrs. Haajar Tiyari and Ms. Saras Meskawi. It is good also to see their enthusiasm and Art of works to be shared for the benefit of sharing intercultural relations between Indonesia and Libya on this aspect of Culture. The Culture that reflects our appreciation to the greatest Creator of the Universe.

May Allah Azza wa Jalla guide us in developing this activity for enhancing our transcendental understanding on Calligraphies.

 

Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Libya Observer