| Lyna Mohamad |
THE curtains to the Islamic Calligraphy Art Exhibition and Activity were raised yesterday during a launch officiated by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
The exhibition at the Brunei History Centre (PSB) in the capital, is one of the activities in conjunction with the recognition of Bandar Seri Begawan as the Asian Capital of Islamic Culture by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
Organised by the Brunei History Centre, the exhibition is themed Melestari Sejarah Melalui Seni Kaligrafi Islam (Preserving History through Islamic Calligraphy).
It focusses more on the art of Islamic calligraphy as one of the mediums towards getting the community, particularly the younger generation, to get closer to history.
The launch was initiated with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa.
Acting Deputy Principal of the Brunei History Centre Hanafi bin Haji Salleh said, “This is the first time PSB is organising the event. It is a different approach by the centre towards preserving the importance of the nation and country’s history, while at the same time uplifting the dignity of the art of calligraphy and Jawi writing in general as the writing of Al-Quran and religion as well as national writing,” he said.
The three-day event’s objective is to promote history through Islamic calligraphy to the community and provide an opportunity for youth to showcase their product to the public.
“History-based calligraphy art and Jawi writing can contribute to the economy in general and the creative industry in particular,” Hanafi said.
The art of Islamic calligraphy can be used in the writing of selected Doa and verses of Al-Quran on canvas, paper, and wood, and it is also produced and introduced to the public through computer applications.
Exhibits showcased include the names of Brunei monarchs in Islamic calligraphy, Islamic Creative Art activities by youth, government agencies and higher learning institutions, Persatuan Seni Khat Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the sale of Islamic calligraphy publications, souvenirs and decorations.
The activity will end tomorrow, while the exhibition of Islamic Calligraphy Arts will run for three months from 8am to 4pm daily (including during Bandarku Ceria), excluding Fridays and public holidays.