His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, adopted the ninth session of the Ramadan Forum for Quran Calligraphy, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development from the 23rd to the 25th of Ramadan at the Festival City in Dubai. The forum comes under the patronage of HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and in the presence of 30 calligraphers from 16 Arab, Islamic and foreign countries who gather together to write the 30 parts of the Holy Qur’an over the course of 3 days in al thuluth script for the first time in the history of the forum. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak stressed that the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development exerts huge efforts to ensure the success of the events of the Ramadan Forum for Holy Quran Calligraphy, as it is one of the most important international events organized by the ministry throughout the year. Through this events the Ministry aims to enhance the value of Arabic language and arts. “The participation of calligraphers from more than 16 Arab, Islamic and European countries is a proof of the success of the Forum, which combines the great spiritual value of the Holy Quran and the sophisticated creativity of Islamic artists and calligraphers.” added Shekih Nahyan. Shekih Nahyan pointed out that the selection of Al Thuluth sript this year is a true leap in the march of the forum due to its beauty and difficulty, making it a challenge for the calligraphers highlighting their potentials and creativity within the general rules set by the Ministry to write the Holy Quran this year. “Over the past years, the Holy Quran Calligraphy Forum along with the International Burda Award reflected an exceptional case in the march of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic decoration, making the UAE the center of the attention of international calligraphers. We can proudly say that the UAE, through such huge events, has paved the way for the development of the Arabic calligraphy and the revival of many scripts which todays calligraphers have forgotten about.”, pointed out Shekih Nahyan. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak further praised the great success achieved by the Forum in its previous sessions, becoming one of the most important specialized cultural events on the international agenda in the field of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic arts. Stressing that the main aim behind organizing the forum is to support the arts and literature of the Arabic language represented by the art of Arabic calligraphy not only at the local level but also globally. Sheikh Nahyan finally praised the great support given to such huge cultural events by the wise leadership represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy Supreme commander of the armed forces, and the Supreme Council of the Union members save them God, which is positively reflected on all cultural, knowledge and artistic fields, making the UAE an international destination for world artists, calligraphers and intellectuals. “Ramadan Forum for Holy Quran Calligraphy is one of the most important initiatives by the ministry to support the cultural and artistic movement inside the country and comes within the framework of the Ministry’s interest in heritage, culture, the Arabic language and the introduction of the value of the art of calligraphy to new generations.”, stressed sheikh Nahyan. On the other hand, the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development placed several conditions for the completion of this work, for example the work should be written in Al Thuluth script, the scale of the pens, type of paper, as well as the unification of the quality inks taking into account its resistance to erosion and lasting for longer periods of time. The Ministry will keep the full copy of the Holy Quran signed by all the participants in the forum, with the date of its completion, to become one of the ministry’s belongings. The jury of the forum includes Mr. Mohamed Ozjay from Turkey, Mr. Abdul Reda Bahia Dawood Al Fargawi from Iraq, Dr. Obeida Mohammed Saleh Al Banki from Syria and Mohammed Al-Tamimi from Turkey. They will be responsible for the process of selecting , follow up and revision for the Quran texts written by calligraphers, along with the calligraphy and ornamentation exhibition of the winning works of the International Burda Award, which will be held on the sidelines of the Forum. The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development stressed that the invitation is open to the public to join the calligraphers over the course of three days while they are scripting a copy of the Holy Quran at the Intercontinental Hotel in Festival City Dubai daily starting from 10 pm and until 2 am in the period between the 23rd and the 25th of Ramadan.