🇪🇬EgyptNorth Africa
Al-Azhar establishes institute for Arabic calligraphy and ornamentation
via Egypt Today1 min read
The Supreme Council of Al-Azhar, Egypt's highest Sunni institution led by Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, has approved the creation of Al-Azhar Institute for Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation. This institute will function under the specialized education system of the Al-Azhar Institutes Sector. The initiative is part of Al-Azhar's strategy to train specialists in Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation, combining academic study with practical training. It also aims to revive this Arab art, preserve cultural heritage, and instill aesthetic values in younger generations. The institute's academic program will be three years long, leading to an intermediate technical qualification in Arabic calligraphy and ornamentation. Exceptional students can pursue an additional two years of study to earn a specialized certificate equivalent to a post-secondary qualification. Admission requires an Al-Azhar preparatory certificate or equivalent, along with passing written and oral entrance exams and a personal interview.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
United Media Services has expressed its condolences following the death of artist and composer Hany Shenouda. He is remembered for his creative contributions and enduring works that enriched the arts in Egypt and the Arab world. Shenouda was seen as a symbol of meaningful art and an authentic voice reflecting Egyptian society, leaving behind a lasting artistic legacy.
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Must ReadRenowned Egyptian composer, arranger, and musician Hany Shenouda has passed away at the age of 83. His final musical project was a reimagined version of "Bahlam Ma’ak" "I Dream with You", originally composed by him and performed by Nagat El Saghira. Born in Tanta in 1943, Shenouda founded the iconic Egyptian band El Masryeen, an idea he credited to Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz. Shenouda is recognized for launching the career of Mohamed Mounir, composing and arranging his first two albums. He also played a pivotal role in discovering Amr Diab, encouraging him to move to Cairo and introducing him to audiences through his debut album "Ya Tareeq," for which he composed four tracks and arranged the entire record. Throughout his career, Shenouda composed timeless songs for Nagat El Saghira and Faiza Ahmed, and arranged celebrated songs like "Donia Gedida." He also composed scores for iconic Egyptian films, including "Al Mashbooh" and "Al Hareef."