The document discusses the art of Arabic calligraphy and its origins and development. It began as a way to glorify the words of the Quran and developed into an art form after the rise of Islam. Calligraphy is used for artistic decoration, spiritual activities, and to beautify religious texts. Styles include tughra signatures used by Ottoman sultans and pictorial calligraphy where words are arranged into shapes. Examples of calligraphy art are shown decorating mosques and historical sites.

1. The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

4. Al-Hambra Palace Candlestick

6. Tughra’ was used by the Ottoman sultans as their signature. It was supposed to be impossible to imitate. Basmallah in Tughra’ style Signature of an Ottoman Sultan

7. See a tughra (tugra) in action http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Tugra_Mahmuds_II.gif

8. Pictorial Calligraphy: words are manipulated and structured into the shape of a human figure, a bird, an animal or an object. Prayer in a form of a human figure “ I testify that there is no god, but God and Muhammad is a messenger of God" Prayer in a form of a Lion “ Ali bin abi Talib, the victorious lion of God, may God be pleased with him"

9. Calligraphy in the shape of a mosque

10. Love & Peace by Fayeq Oweis, 2003

11. Arabic Calligraphy in Mosques Minbar & Mihrab - Mosque of University of Jordan The Dome of the Rock

12. Dome of the Rock

14. Now you get to try your hand at calligraphy…