In his Fez workplace, Moroccan calligrapher Mohamed Serghini creates inscriptions.

The award-winning craftsman retains alive a kind of calligraphy that appeared in his nation within the first Hijri century, the seventh century AD.

“Moroccan calligraphy” finds its “origin is the Kufic script,” he explains. Nonetheless, “a bunch of scripts branched out from it. There’s the Maghrebized Mashreqi script, which is named the Moroccan Thuluth script, and there may be the Moroccan Mabsut script, wherein the Qur’ans are written,” he provides. 

“Then there may be one other Moroccan script, known as the Mujawher script. That is the script wherein manuscripts and letters are written, and the royal [offices] are additionally specialised in it.”

Nonetheless in northern Morocco, a small workshop has been established to show Moroccan and Arabic calligraphy to youngsters and youthful folks.

It is supervised by calligrapher Mohamed Charqaoui.

College students are taught write some extent utilizing bamboo pens.

“The development of social media, the web and trendy know-how is the explanation why handbook abilities started to develop into extinct,”  Charqaoui analyses.

“There have been makes an attempt to revive this artwork in Morocco by means of the institution of two academic establishments in Casablanca and in Fez. In Fez, there may be the Sahrij Faculty within the outdated metropolis. There’s a turnout from some younger individuals who nonetheless think about calligraphy extra than simply writing letters.”

After years within the shadows, calligraphy is getting more and more common amongst girls.

Ladies calligraphers

Fatima Azzahra Sennaa attends the Sahrij Faculty.

She obtained inspiration from her father, a calligrapher who teaches on the identical faculty.

Calligraphy could encompass a Quranic verse, or well-known sayings or classes.

“Since my childhood, I at all times noticed my father writing and making work. That is what attracted me in direction of calligraphy. I preferred studying calligraphy as nicely. That’s the reason I at all times sat close to him and realized progressively. I began with drawing, after which after that, calligraphy.”

The significance of the artwork was formally acknowledged internationally final 12 months, when UNESCO added Arabic calligraphy to its listing of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Most learners achieve their abilities by means of practices handed down by generations.

Due to their efforts and innovation, Moroccan calligraphy stays a dwelling and growing custom.