Ayla Supports and Hosts Aqaba Forum for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation

**Aqaba, 24 May 2023

Ayla supported and hosted the “Aqaba Forum for Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation 2023”, which started on Wednesday, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture represented by Dr. Hussain Al-Dghaimat and with the presence of the Governor of Aqaba, Khaled Al-Hajjaj, organized by the Aqaba Directorate of Culture and Amwaj Association for Culture and Arts, in conjunction with the national celebrations of Independence Day.

 The forum included an exhibition of participants’ artworks, as well as training workshops in Arabic calligraphy for the local community in Aqaba. In addition to specialized lectures on different types of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation.

Ayla’s sponsorship and hosting of the forum’s event serve as support for cultural activities in Aqaba and contribute to showcasing them on the map of forums concerned with arts and Arabic calligraphy at the regional level, while encouraging cultural tourism and enhancing the high-level capabilities of professionals and enthusiasts of Arabic calligraphy in Aqaba, both at the national and Arab levels.

Ayla’s Managing Director, Sahl Dudin, said, “We are delighted at Ayla to host and sponsor the event of this unique forum, considering Ayla’s great interest in educational and cultural activities that embody the cultural heritage, and the need to strengthen Aqaba’s position on the major events agenda, supporting its tourism, cultural, and civilizational leadership.”

Dudin added, “Ayla supports the efforts of various institutions aiming to enhance Aqaba’s position on the map of artistic and cultural forums, and encourages cultural tourism and investment in local talents, which is one of Ayla’s key strategic pillars for social responsibility.”

On his part, the Director of the Aqaba Directorate of Culture, Tariq Al-Bdour, expressed his gratitude for the support provided by Ayla to the forum’s event, which reflects its leading position among institutions that prioritize culture and arts in Aqaba, pointing to the wide participation of 14 Arab and Islamic countries and dozens of enthusiasts of calligraphy and ornamentation in this prominent event that promotes Aqaba’s tourism, culture, and art potential.

The Aqaba International Forum for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation, which is held annually, witnessed the participation of 14 Arab and Islamic countries, 40 calligraphers, and decorators, both locally and regionally. The distinguished guest for this forum was Mahmoud Arol Qalij, the Director of the Research Center for Islamic History, Arts, and Culture (IRCICA), affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The event was attended by diplomats and enthusiasts of Arabic calligraphy and ornamentation from within and outside the Kingdom.

The forum included an exhibition consisting of 60 artworks by Jordanian, Arab, and Islamic calligraphers, and decorators, in addition to lectures on the importance of calligraphy and Islamic arts, and workshops on Arabic calligraphy for the local community.

The Aqaba International Forum for Calligraphy and Islamic Arts, named after Turkish calligrapher Hamed Al-Amadi this year, aims to preserve Arabic calligraphy, and highlight its historical importance, as well as preserve the Arabic language, nurture talents, promote tourism in Aqaba, and commemorate the giants of calligraphy and their developmental contributions.