Demonstrations hosted by Musab Al Douri and Mohammed Al Nouri highlight ‘Arabic Calligraphy’ and ‘Arts of Illumination’

As part of ‘Ramadaniat Al Qasba 2009’, Al Qasba, the premium tourist, cultural and entertainment destination in the Emirate of Sharjah and the UAE, is currently organizing the ‘Cosmos Mosaic’, a series of ‘Arabic Calligraphy’ and ‘Arts of Illumination’ demonstrations. Organized in collaboration with Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, the demonstrations are hosted by two of the UAE’s renowned calligraphers; Musab Shamil Ahmed Al Douri and Mohammed Al Nouri, and will run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the coming two weeks from 10 pm to 12 midnight at the Caribou Coffee at Al Qasba.

Commenting on the demonstrations, Dina Al Nakhi, Events Manager at Al Qasba Development Authority said:

“As renowned Calligraphers here in the UAE and in the region, Al Douri and Al Nouri will be sharing their insights into the world of Arabic calligraphy and illumination arts with a series of demonstrations and an exhibition showcasing their work. Through organizing these demonstrations, we hope that visitors to Al Qasba will gain an increased understanding of why calligraphy is so important to Muslims and how Arabic calligraphy is an art imbued with spiritual dimension.’’

Both artists have participated in national and international exhibitions and have won several awards and prizes. Teaching at the Sharjah Centre of Arabic Calligraphy and Decoration, Mohammed Al Nouri currently works as a calligraphy and decoration teacher while Musab Al Douri is a teacher of Art Calligraphy and Gold Gilding at the Centre.

In addition to the Arabic calligraphy demonstrations, Al Qasba has also organized four charity tents; Orphanage Care, Sharjah’s Humanity Services, Permanent Proceeds and Al Waqf Projects. In collaboration with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, the UAE Red Crescent and Sharjah Charity International, these tents will provide visitors with information about their charitable work and will also be collecting donations to support the needy. The Sharjah City of Humanitarian services will also sell books written by H.H Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and handmade items made by handicapped children.

Ramadaniat Al Qasba 2009’ is inspired by the spirit of Ramadan and includes a wide range of activities, events, lectures and promotions at Al Qasba, as well as Iftar and Suhoor meals from 6.45 p.m. onwards. ‘Ramadaniat Al Qasba 2009’ is sponsored by Etisalat, Bridgestone from Al Serkal and Falcon Pack. For more information please visit www.alqasba.ae .

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PROFILE OF THE TWO ARABIC CALLIGRAPHERS

Mohammed Al Nouri: Holds a Bachelor degree in fine arts from the University of Baghdad. Al Nouri is currently a calligraphy and decoration teacher at the Sharjah Centre of Arabic Calligraphy and Decoration. Al Nouri has participated in various national and international exhibitions: City of San Lazaro show, San Lorenzo, Italy 2005; Sharjah Cultural Days at the Louvre Paris, France 2007; Islamic Cultural Centre Gallery, Dublin, Ireland 2007; The Annual Art Exhibition Abu Dhabi, UAE 2005-2007. He has won numerous prizes and awards including the Djali calligraphy award at the Hashem al-Baghdadi competition Istanbul 2007 and the classical calligraphy award Sharjah Third International Forum for Arabic Calligraphy 2008.

Musab Shamil Ahmed Al Douri: Holds a bachelor Degree, in Arabic Calligraphy and illumination from Baghdad University of Fine Art. Al Douri is an Art calligraphy and gold Gilding teacher at the Sharjah Centre for Arabic Calligraphy and Decoration and also holds pottery decoration classes. He has participated in a variety of festivals and exhibitions on both the local and international levels, including: Sharjah Heritage Days Festival – Vienna, Austria; Black Diamond Gallery – Copenhagen, Denmark; Islamic Fine Arts Festival, Sharjah 2007; Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Art Exhibition 2008. Al Douri has also won an art calligraphy award at the Islamic Arts Festival - Silk Road 2008.

About Al Qasba Development Authority

Al Qasba Development Authority was established as per the directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to oversee the development of Al Qasba, into an impressive entertainment, leisure and cultural hub of the Middle East. Chaired by H.E Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qassimi, the Authority seeks to reinforce the Emirate position as the cultural capital of the region and promote the flow of learning and information within specific disciplines. On March 2008, Qanat Al Qasba was re-branded as Al Qasba.

For further information, please contact

Maan Dalghan

O2 Public Relations

Tel: 050 4735351

Email: maan.d@O2pr.net