Photo courtesy of the CIC
More than 1,700 people have applied to the International School of Calligraphy at the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. Tuition is free, and classes are attended by students aged 7 to 70, the Center's press service reported.
The school was established following directives issued by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his visit to the Center on January 29, 2025. Its mission is to preserve manuscript traditions, teach historic calligraphy scripts, and train new specialists.
According to instructor Muhammad Soliev, students are divided into three groups: schoolchildren, university students, and working professionals, with retirees also joining the third cohort. One-hour classes meet twice a week.
Instruction follows the traditional «ustoz-shogird» (master-apprentice) system, with courses lasting from six months to three years. Students study the Naskh, Nastaliq, Thuluth, Ruq'ah, Diwani, and Kufic scripts, while also mastering the principles of artistic composition.
Mastering the «Bukhari Naskh» script alone takes four to six months on average. Several students who have been studying for six to seven months have already completed the initial phases and begun creating original compositions.
According to the Center for Islamic Civilization, more than 100 young people have already acquired practical calligraphy skills, with their work featured in exhibitions and master classes.
Moving forward, the school plans to engage its top students in producing calligraphic copies of rare manuscripts from the Center’s library, including works connected to the heritage of Alisher Navoi and other historic figures.
ℹ️ The Center for Islamic Civilization was built in Uzbekistan's capital adjacent to the Hazrati Imam (Khast-Imam) complex. Designed in the style of medieval architectural monuments, the building features four 34-meter portals and a 65-meter central dome. It houses a Quran Hall, a 550-seat conference auditorium, and a museum whose exhibits span the entire history of Uzbekistan from pre-Islamic times to the present day. The Center serves as a hub for exploring ancestral heritage and reinterpreting it for modern times in collaboration with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and research centers worldwide.
