Kaaba Kiswa Calligrapher Wins First Place at Cairo International Arabic Calligraphy Forum

The kiswa covering the Kaaba in the Holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
The kiswa covering the Kaaba in the Holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Kaaba Kiswa Calligrapher Wins First Place at Cairo International Arabic Calligraphy Forum

The kiswa covering the Kaaba in the Holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
The kiswa covering the Kaaba in the Holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Maliki, a distinguished calligrapher from the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa, has won first place at the Cairo International Forum for the Art of Arabic Calligraphy, receiving the prestigious Authentic Trend Award for Arabic Calligraphy.

Al-Maliki won the award at the forum’s ninth session, where he competed with a group of talented calligraphers from around the world, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The Cairo International Forum for Arabic Calligraphy honors the significance of Arabic calligraphy as an integral part of Arab and Islamic cultural heritage.

The event celebrates the diversity and creativity of calligraphers, encouraging ongoing development and innovation in this art form.

This year’s competition featured 80 contestants from Arab and international backgrounds, along with renowned calligraphers and honored guests.



Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA

Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened their commitment to cultural collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Dr. Toshiko Abe.

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations and fostering cultural exchange.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Culture Ministry on Friday, the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing and collaboration in diverse cultural fields.
To foster mutual understanding and appreciation, the two parties are committed to promoting cultural exchanges, including exchange of experts in various cultural fields and organizing programs, workshops, and seminars for intellectuals, cultural specialists, and artists from the two countries, said the statement.

Prince Bader emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This collaboration underscores the shared vision of Saudi Arabia and Japan to preserve, celebrate, and advance cultural understanding,” he said. “By joining forces in areas such as heritage preservation and artistic innovation, we not only honor our histories but also inspire future generations to embrace creativity and cultural exchange.”

The MoU builds upon the longstanding tradition of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan in the fields of arts, culture, and heritage. It reinforces the two countries’ commitment to fostering innovation while preserving their culture, paving the way for deeper engagement and collaboration.

During a meeting, Prince Bader and Abe discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the Japanese side to train Saudi students in the art of "Manga" comics.