Different Chinese artists held an exhibition to showcase Islamic calligraphy on December 26, Friday in Islamabad's Gallery 6. The exhibit was called  "Revered calligraphy by Chinese," and showed the unique artwork collection of Asad Raza, who is also an Islamic Arts consultant.

According to the Tribune, Raza has been collecting the said artworks for 30 years now and it was his many trips to China and connecting with famous calligraphers and Chinese Islamic forums that made his collection possible.

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The exhibition had a total of 27 calligraphic artworks, and most of them were made by Chinese Muslim calligrapher Haji Abdul Hakim, also known as Haji Liu Jingyi.

The 85-year-old artist and calligrapher is the leader of the Chifeng Islam Association and is also the current imam of the Chifeng mosque. He has been passionate about the art of calligraphy ever since he was a child that he was even mentored by Guo Zhenduo, a prominent Chinese calligrapher.

After learning the basics and developing his skills in doing Chinese calligraphy, he later on found himself drawn to work on some Islamic Calligraphy. He pursued his passion and studied Islamic Calligraphy through the guidance of a prominent Arabic calligrapher, Imam Cao Jinzao from the Eastern region of China.

Hakim's talent and skills in the area of calligraphy in both Chinese and Arabic has made him able to create such critically acclaimed artwork that eventually lead him to being famous worldwide.

The artist started his masterpiece using a conventional Chinese practice, which involves the Chinese brush to work on some Islamic calligraphy in a style called Sini. Eventually, he changed his technique and used the usual reed pen and a spatula made of wood.

The exhibit showcasing this rare set of artworks is still open until the 4th of January, 11 am to 7 pm.

TagsIslamic calligraphy, Chinese art, Asad Raza, Islamic artist, islamabad