Dr. Mothanna Al-Obaidi
Lead Instructor & Master Calligrapher
Education:
- Honor PHD in Islamic art from Islamic Study College from Turkey, 2016
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, the University of Baghdad, 1995
- Science of Arabic calligraphy at the Iraqi Calligraphers Association, since 1983
Professional and Artistic Experience:
- Art Director, Rubicon Group Holding, Amman, Jordan, (2005-2015)
- Working in the field of 3D animation and Arabic calligraphy
- Private Instructor in the Arts of Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation, Baghdad, Iraq, (1995-2003)
- Member of the Business Division in the Sharjah International Forum, (2010)
- Jury member of the Islamic Art Forum, Muscat, (2011)
Notable Projects:
- Wrote the original copy of holy Quran "Mushaf Al-Faisal", for King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh (2012-2016)
- Design the final structure book for Islamic center in Kuwait 2015
- Design the Hashemite flag for Jordan, 2015
Awards:
- First prize winner of the Thuluth Script at the Fourth International Competition (Hamad Allah Al-Amasi)
- Second prize winner of the Thuluth and Naskh Script Istanbul, 1998
- The Iraqi Innovation Award for Iraqi Art, 2000
- The Classical Art Prize from the Sharjah International Forum for Islamic Art, (2009)
- The Burda Prize for Arabic Calligraphy, Abu Dhabi, (2009)
- The Okaz Prize for Islamic Art, Saudi Arabia (2010)
Additional Instructors & Advisors
Our team includes distinguished academic experts and master practitioners who bring diverse expertise to our programs.
Dr. Adham Hanash
Academic Advisor & Calligraphy Philosopher
Renowned Arabic calligraphy philosopher, researcher, and art critic. Professor of calligraphy art and aesthetic manuscript science with extensive publications and international contributions.
Professional Background:
- Former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Islamic Architecture at the International Islamic Sciences University (2012-2018)
- Editor, managing editor, and editor-in-chief for numerous Iraqi and Arab newspapers and magazines
- Member of the Islamic Manuscripts Authority (Cambridge University)
- Published 19 books on calligraphy art, manuscript science, and Islamic arts
- Published over 37 peer-reviewed scientific papers and dozens of articles in cultural magazines
- Participated in numerous scientific seminars and conferences in Baghdad, Dubai, Sharjah, Paris, London, Madinah, Kuwait, Cairo, Istanbul, Algeria, and others
Ustadh Mohammad Alhamwi
Arabic Calligraphy Instructor
Dynamic Arabic Calligrapher and Graphic Designer with a proven track record at Free Lancer, excelling in branding and identity projects. Award-winning calligrapher with exceptional design skills.
Experience & Achievements:
- Senior Arabic Calligrapher & Graphic Designer at Free Lancer, Amman (Remote) since 2010
- First place in Calligraphy Competition of Jordan Academy of Arabic (2019)
- First place in Calligraphy Competition for Jordanian Multaqa of Arabic Calligraphy (2021)
- Fourth place in Al Burda International Calligraphy Competition (2024)
- Artist Manager at Al Hashem Handicrafts Company, Amman (2016-2021)
- Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan (2012-2016)
- Diploma in Islamic Arts from Technical Institute of Applied Arts, Damascus (2009-2011)
Dr. Abdelhamid Mahfoud
Arabic Calligraphy & Islamic Arts Instructor
PhD in Cinema Studies from Sorbonne-Nouvelle University. Filmmaker and researcher specializing in aesthetic issues related to oriental arts of writing (Chinese, Arabic) and their relationship with cinematic image.
Notable Achievements:
- Lecturer at Sorbonne-Nouvelle (Paris III) on aesthetics of still image and the relationship between letters and images
- Director of CERCEAU (Educational Centre for Cinema and Audiovisual Research)
- Award-winning filmmaker for "Soumaya" (Best Actress Award at Festival Cinema & Migrations)
- Director of documentary "Your Last Walk in The Mosque" (selected for Hot Docs Film Festival)
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