New Mexico – West African Calligraphy Institute

On October 3-6, 2024 the Reed Society for the Sacred Arts along with the West African Calligraphy Institute hosted our first ever calligraphy Music for the Eyes retreat at the Dar al Islam Education Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Over the course of a beautiful 4 days we explored the diversity of Arabic calligraphy through lectures, poetry readings, workshops, and exhibitions. Students and calligraphy lovers from around the United States and the World were able to learn about different forms of calligraphy and build community around our mutual for this art form and cultural expression.

Friday started with a lecture by Cheikh Mame Mortalla Mbacke from the Atlanta dahira and Saliou Pelafas regarding the development of Sufism in West Africa, the history of Ahmadou Bamba, in particular, the evolution of the West African Arabic Script, and the role of Bamba’s poetry and Senegalese culture in the works of Yelimane Fall.This was followed by the Friday prayer with the Khutbah being deliver by Cheikh Mbacke.

In the afternoon students gathered in the courtyard to listen to Khassaides recited by our friend and devoted taalibe Serigne Saliou N’Doye from Dahira Touba Taawun (Dallas), and interpreted by Cheikh Mbacke and Moutapha Diop (also from the Dallas dahira). The West African calligraphy institue cannot express enough gratitude to the Dallas dahira and Cheikh Mbacke for attending the retreat and sharing their knowledge, devotion, and expertise.

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday included workshops in the Turkish Thuluth style with Nuria Garica Masip, the Persian Nastaliq style with Bahman Panahi, a hike at the Ghost Ranch, and nightly gatherings by the campfire, at the archery range, or at dinnertime. Alhumdulilah for such a beautiful and enlightening weekend, and special thanks to Reed Society, all our teachers, all the participants, and everyone at Dar al Islam. We hope to see you all again next year, inshallah!

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.