The course introduces you to the highest form of Islamic written art according to the Ottoman School of calligraphy. This is a practical course that provides participants a step-by-step guide to writing the Arabic letters script.

Brief description:

Students will be shown how to construct each letter through basic strokes and learn the traditional practice, tools and materials used for Calligraphy. You will be encouraged to explore and experiment with the relevant tools, learn to cut and prepare a traditional reed qalam – calligraphy pen, analyse the measurements for the Arabic letters, practice the pen angles from thick to thin strokes and progress through shapes to write out letters.

The course is open to people of all abilities and backgrounds including those who have an interest in writing. No knowledge of written or spoken Arabic is required. Participants with prior experience of calligraphy can attend.

Time table & prices

Note: The seats for this course are limited to maximum 6 participants.

Materials required from students:

– reed pen

– inkwell

– workbook

Teacher:  Houssam Khorchid

Houssam Khorchid was born in Kuwait, in 1981. He moved to Abu Dhabi – UAE in 1992, where he is been living since then. He is a Palestinian of Ottoman roots, with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, from King’s College University of London, UK.

His interest in the art of Arabic calligraphy started while he was in London in 2001, where he received his first reed pen and started practicing by himself. Upon returning to Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2002, he promptly joined Arabic calligraphy courses and learned Divani and Neskh scripts, with UAE’s first accredited Arabic calligraphy artist Hussein Al-Hashimi. He continued to study with his teacher and took permission from his teacher to develop his skills further in Istanbul, Turkey. In Istanbul, being the capital of this art throughout history, he took lessons in Thuluth script with the main masters such as Hasan Chelebi and Davud Bektash. He also interacted with Mehmed Özcay and Savash Chevik who are experienced artists. Since then till today he is in continuous contact with art historians and university professors, such as Mustafa Uğur Derman and Süleyman Berk, who have published books about his art and began his personal research about calligraphy in the Ottoman era and learned the Turkish language.

Houssam Khorchid is working as a Senior Computer Systems Administrator in Abu Dhabi. He speaks Arabic, English and Turkish. He is married and has one child.