Reed Society – West African Calligraphy Institute

Wow, another year, another beautiful retreat at Dar al Islam in Abiquiu, New Mexico! The Reed Society for the Sacred Arts and the West African Calligraphy institute brought together, for the second year in a row, calligraphy experts and teachers, lovers and learners of Arabic calligraphy, musicians, artists, and community to share, learn, and inspire each other over 4 days in October. Thank you to Anita Hull for giving the retreat a write-up in the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Pasatiempo magazine.

This year’s retreat welcomed again recitation of the khassida of Serigne Touba by the taalibes of Dahira Touba Taawun of Dallas, and included the addition of workshops with illumination artist Benhaz Karjoo, a performance by the Mesudiya emsemble, and a Musicalligraphy demonstration by Bahman Panahi along with New Mexico musician Aimee Wilson.

Alhumdulilah and thanks again to Reed Society, Dahira Touba Taawun from Dallas, and all our teachers, participants, artists, and everyone at Dar al Islam. A very special thanks to Moutapha Diop for his support and lecture on the meaning in Serigne Touba’s work. May Allah bless us all that we may continue to nurture our community and grow through this work!

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, 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 delivered 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!