Calligraphies in Arabic Script at the Frontiers of the Islamicate World (CallFront): collaboration

Calligraphies in Arabic Script at the Frontiers of the Islamicate World (CallFront) is a project devoted to the study of calligraphic styles in Arabic characters emanating from the Iberian Peninsula, the Maghrib, sub-Saharan Africa, Anatolia, the Balkans, India, Southeast Asia, and China. In January 2025 the Callfront Project visited Senegal with the assitance of the West African Calligraphy Institute to add West African styles to their documentation of frontier Arabic calligraphies. While in Senegal the project interviewed reknowned Malian Calligraphy Cheikh Hamou, and Senegalese calligraphers Fallou Fall, and Moustapha Seck, and also visited their studios. With the assistance of the institute, the project was also priviledged to visit the great library of Touba (Daaray Kamil) and view manuscripts written by Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba himself. Great thanks to Cheikh Hamou, Susana Molins Lliteras, Marou Nobili, Antoine, and the administration of Daaray Kamil for this important collaboration. May Allah bless all of you in this great work and that we see you in Senegal again someday, inshallah.

New Mexico Retreat, OCTOBER 2024

In conjunction with the Reed Society for Sacred Arts, the West African Calligraphy Institute would like to invite any and all to our inaugural calligraphy retreat and gathering at Dar al Islam in Abiquiu, New Mexico. As non-profit organizations we believe an important part of our mission is to build community around and through the sacred arts, including calligraphy. We envision this gathering as a way to broaden the scope of our work, embody inclusivity around the diversity of Islamic practices from around the world, and to engage those in calligraphy and Islamic art circles through practice and community. It is our hope that participants include interested persons, aspiring calligraphers, museum curators, academics, like-minded organizations, and in general people who would like to spend some intimate time with the calligraphic form or who already do so as a practice or for a living. Please check back here for updates to the itinerary.

To register for the retreat click here.

Dar al Islam, Abiquiu, NM
Featured artist: Nuria Garcia Masip
Featured artist: Bahman Panahi
Featured artist: Fallou Fall