Asean-level calligraphy hub: Minister
Published on: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
By: Iskandar Dzulkifli
Arifin in a group photo with some of the guests and panellists at the Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam in Membakut, recently.
MEMBAKUT: Sabah will become the secretariat of international calligraphy as well as a pioneer in efforts to empower Islamic literature in the region.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif, said the effort is now actively implemented and for the beginning the establishment of a secretariat will be realised at the Asean level.
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Dr Mohd Arifin, who is the founder of Mahrajan Persuratan dan Kesenian Islam, said once implemented, every country in the Asean region will have a Mahrajan Khat Nusantara (MHKN) Secretariat.
“As for the Central MHKN secretariat in Sabah, it will be established early next year and the first meeting will be held this September with figures who are knowledgeable about the basics of the Asean calligraphy network.
“We will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Asean countries and then launch the MHKN Nusantara secretariat in their respective countries.
“The Central MHKN (Sabah) will be placed under the Office of the State Deputy Secretary and Special Tasks,” he said after officiating the closing of the Mahrajan Islamic Nusantara Literature and Arts event here Sunday.
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Dr Mohd Ariffin said that the establishment of the association aims to facilitate any effort to strengthen the art of calligraphy around the world by organising various programmes in the future.
At the same time, he said, the MHKN can also become a centre or network for calligraphy enthusiasts and lovers in their respective countries.
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“This website will also make it easier for us to channel any information or organise programmes related to the art of khat and calligraphy in any country in the Asean region.
“Through such programme, all calligraphy practitioners can also share knowledge, simultaneously strengthening this old Islamic art.
“All these efforts are our initial initiative to expand this art to the international level and God willing, as a result of everyone’s support, this aspiration will be achieved,” he said.
Dr Mohd Arifin also presented the prizes to the winners of spontaneous calligraphy and excellent student awards as well as aid from the Sabah Education Assistance Fund (TBPS).
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