Use of images
Arabic Calligraphy
Arab and Islamic Art
Graphic Design
Wedding and Invitation Cards
Other Products

Use of images

Q: I wonder if I could use some of it on my homepage if I link it back to your page (H. A.)?
A: Thank you for your kind comments about my work. Although you do not intend to use the images for a commercial purpose, I need to charge a fee for the use of my work in order to continue to produce it. For use of artwork in a personal or a nonprofit home page I made the fees modest so most people who feel my artwork will add value to their page will be able to afford it.
The fees are US$ 15 for a full screen image, US$10 for a half screen image, and US$5 for a quarter screen image. Fees for smaller sizes should be rounded to the next larger size. Credit should appear on the same page in which the image is used. A link to sakkal.com will be greatly appreciated.
Please send payment and indicate the images you want to use, and where they will be used, and I will send you a permission note for using the images you are interested in.

Q: I am making a homepage for a mosque in Melbourne, Australia. If possible, I would appreciate if you could let me have a graphic. I have seen some graphics/logos on your page, yet I don't know if they are available for other Islamic organizations...are they brother? Fee amaan Allah (F.).
A: You may use graphics from my web site for your mosque homepage if it is not specifically designed for another client. Please let me know which one you are interested in and I will tell you if it will be fine to use. There is a small use fee as indicated in the previouse answer.
Thanks for your interest, and good luck.

Q: I volunteer for an organization that promotes middle east folk dancing and music. I saw your graphics about a year ago and thought they were really outstanding. I took over the group's web site a few months ago (http://www.wameda.org) and now I want to redo the pages. Can I buy one of your designs and then put it on each page?
I am not sure if that is how you meant for your graphics to be used. If you look at the site, you see we use yellow background and darker letters. Is there a graphic or calligraphy you would recommend? We think this particular dance is one of the healthiest forms of exercise and we want to encourage as many people as possible to participate, to enjoy dance and making music themselves (finger cymbals). Please let me know what to do next.(R.F.).
A: Non of the designs included on my web site would be appropriate for use in Wameda's site. I will be happy to design one for you if you tell me which design you like, then I can use an appropriate phrase, such as "Oriental Dance, Wadeda, Middle East Dance..etc" to match the style of the design you like. I can give you an estimate for the fees after receiving the above information, and will be around $800.

Arabic Calligraphy

Learning Calligraphy:
Q:
I have always wanted to learn calligraphy, and recently, a friend gave me a pen and a pad to start working on it. I wonder if you could direct me to a place on the Internet or an organization in California where they might teach calligraphy. Or, do you have any suggestions for a book to help me get started (R. H.)?
A: I am not aware of a place where you can learn Arabic calligraphy in California. Some of the best general books that deal with Thuluth, Naskh, and Diwani are:
Kawaed al Khat al Arabi by Hashim Muhammed al Khattatt al Boughdadi. New enlarged edition by Alam Al-Kutub, Beirute 1986.
It can be purchased from some islamic bookstores in the US.

Taallam al-Khatt al-Arabi by Fawzi Salem Afifi. Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, Damascus and Cairo, 1996 and reprinted in 2001.

See also http://www.zakariya.net/technique/index.html

For those interested in learning the Nastaliq style please see:
http://principlesofarts.com/lesson1.html

For Kufi calligraphy see:
Min al-Khutout al-Arabiyyah by Muhammad Abdelkader Abdallah, Matabe' al-Hay'a al-Misriyyah al-Aamah Lilkitab, Cairo, 1990.
Al-Khatt al-Arabi al-Kufi by Hasan Qasim Habash. Dar al-Qalam, Beirout 1980 first edition, 1990 third edition.

Finally, you may want to subscribe to Hroof Arabiya Magazine, excellent journal about Arabic calligraphy published quartely in Kuwait.

Q: I'm interested in learning the art of Arabic/Islamic Calligraphy as a hobby. I can't seem to find a book on the subject that actually teaches the howto. Could you please point me in the right direction. (S. A.)
A: You can get started with a recently published book on Naskh calligraphy titled
Arabic Calligraphy: Naskh script for beginners by Mustafa Ja'far, McGraw-Hill, 2002.

Books about Arabic Calligraphy:
For books about Arabic and Islamic calligraphy please see:
Abdallah, Muhammad Abdulkader: Min al Khutute al Arabiyyah, Cairo 1990 (Arabic).
Begley, W.E.: Monumental Islamic Calligraphy from India, Illinois 1985.
Harati, Muhammad Mahdi: Manifestation of Art in Writing Bimila, Iran 1987 (Persian).
Jum'a, Ibrahim: Dirasatun fi Tatawur al Kitabat al Kufiyyah, Cairo, 1967 ( Arabic).
Khatibi, Abdelkebir, and Sijelmassi, Mohammed: The Splendour of Islamic Calligraphy, London, NY 1976.
Lings, Martin: The Quranic Art of Calligraphy and Illumination. World of Islam Festival, London 1976.
Safadi, Y. H.: Islamic Calligraphy, Shambhala, Boulder 1979.
Schimmel, Annemarie: Calligraphy and Islamic Culture, NY 1984.
Schimmel, Annemarie: Islamic Calligraphy, Lieden 1970.
Ulker, Muammer: The Art of Turkish Calligraphy from the beginning up to present, Ankara 1987 (Arabic, English, Turkish). Yazir, Mahmud Bedreddin: Medeniyet Aleminde Yazi ve Islam Medeniyetide Kalem Guzeli, Ankara 1989 (in Turkish).

In Urdu language see:
Ejaz Raqm, Ya'ni usule va qawa'id fann khoshnavisi, and Nazme Parvin, Ya'ni fann khoshkhatti nastaliq ma' mukamil qawa'id va dawabit ta'limi nuqteye nazari, both published in one volume by Tijkamar Press, 1982.
Naqsh Afzal alma'rouf beh Guldaste Khattati, by Kakim Muhammad Abdullah Sahrif Afzal Raqam Misouri, published by Malike Safdari Press, 1989,
Qalamnameh, by Muhammad Abdullah Sahrif Afzal Raqam Misouri, published by Malike Safdari Press, 1986.
Tanweer al-Shams by Munshi Muhammad Shams al-Din Eijaz Raqam, published by Uterpradesh Urdu Academi, Lak-hnou, 1982.
Sahife Khoushnavisan by Maulawi Ihtiram al-Din Ahmad Shaghel Uthmani, published by Qawmii Council Barai Furoughe Urdu Ziban, Vazarate Taraqie Insani Wasa'el, Indian Goverment, 1987.

Q: I am confused about the price of your calligraphy prints. Is it $45 for 100 copies of an 8"X10"? How much is it for just one (A.K.)?
A: The price is $45 for one print of a limited edition of 100 total copies printed of this image. The term limited edition of 100 means that only 100 prints of this piece of artwork will be printed. The artist inspects each print, then signs and dates it.

Q: I have a quick question for you regarding writing the Arabic script: could you please tell me how to write the middle-position j, H, kh, S, D, T, TH, k and m. Specifically, I'm not sure what I should do with my pencil/pen when I write these letters in middle position. For example, when writing "j" (jiim) in middle position, do I write the bottom line all the way across from right to left, then lift my pencil and write the "j"? And the same for the other letters. Would you have any diagrams you could email me, or give me references on the internet that might show me how to write each letter (Daniel)?
A: Take a look at Babel Arabic website
http://lexicorient.com/babel/arabic/06.htm
and
http://www.hejleh.com/tree/names.html

Q: Check out my www.Arabart.com site which contained some samples of calligraphy (O. A.).
A: A lot of useful information and beautiful images of modern art and calligraphy.

Q: After appreciating the beauty of your art at the 34th ISNA convention in Chicago, I wanted to ask you two questions.
1. Which software you used to do the artwork 'Steps & Shadows' in Kufic?
2. Is there any style called 'Ta'liqa" if so, where to find an example (Y. H. M.)?
A: 1. I used Macromedia Freehand to do the Kufi design of Steps & Shadows.
2. According to Y. H. Safadi in Islamic Calligraphy "During the 16th century in Persia an important calligraphic development took place with the formulation of Ta'liq (hanging) script from Riqa' and Twqi'. From Ta'liq, an even lighter and more elegant form evolved, known as Nasta'liq." He shows several examples of the style on pages 85, 87, 92, 96 and others. The book is published by Shambhala in Boulder and is widely available.
The development of Ta'liq started as early as the 12th century according to Fann al Khatt, published by IRCICA in Istanbul, and established its known characteristics in the 13th century (p. 26). Nasta'liq was perfected by Mir Ali Tabrizi in 1420 CE, and was often referred to as Ta'liq in Turkey, while Ta'liq was called Old Ta'liq. Examples of Ta'liq are shown in this book in figures 43, 84, 85, 99, 100, 101, 102, and others.

Translation from English to Arabic:

Q: I need a word translated from English to Arbic, how much will this cost?
A: For a simple translation the fee is $25 per word. For more artistic options please see my Name Translation Page.

Q: I need a word translated from English to Arbic, but I don't want to pay you to do this for me. Is there a free place on the Internet to help me with this?
A: Try http://tarjim.ajeeb.com/ajeeb/
or http://www.hejleh.com/tree/names.html
or http://www.firdaous.com/en/?13-a


Arab and Islamic Art

Q: I am organizing an exhibition for Muslim women artists <http://www.webcom.com/hammoude/Update.html>. Do you know any Muslim women who do fine art (N. H.).
A: You may want to contact Dr. Habibeh Rahim who organized and curated the exhibition "Inscription as Art in the World of Islam" in New York, where several Muslim women artists participated. She also published a catalog for the exhibition containing biographies of the participating artists, as well as a review in Arts & The Islamic World magazine, No 29, pp. 45-47. Dr. Rahim is working on an exhibition for Muslim women artists as well. You can reach her at: 22 Fairlawn Dr, Deer Park, NY 11729.
The Worlds Women On-Line has several biographies of Muslim women.
Cultural and Visual Arts Resource organized the exhibition "Voices of Change" of Arab women artists, and may have information about Muslim women artists. You can reach them at: PO Box 226, Lafayette, CA 94549.
Also you may be able to get information about Muslim women artists from Arab Artists Resources & Training, www.aart.ws, contact: info@aart.ws. Mailing address: PO Box 372, Redmond, WA 98073.
Good luck and best wishes on your project.

Q: I am a calligrapher. I write "Nastaligh" and "Shekasteh Nastaligh". I am intrested in taking part in future international calligraphy competition, which helds every three years in Estambul, Turkey. Would you please give me any informations about the competition and its address (A.A.)?
A: The competition address is
International Calligraphy Competition Secretariat
Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA)
P.O.Box 234
80693 Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: (212) 259 1742

The information is also published on IRCICA'a web site
http://www.ircica.org/

Graphic Design

Q: I would like to know what are your hourly charges for generating a logo from rough sketch. Who knows, I might get a client with Arabic background (M. S. Q.).
A: My hourly rate is US$150. The fees to design a logo range from US$2,000 for non-profit to US$4,000-10,000 for commercial businesses.

Q: Unfortunately your fee is rather high for us at this time. We are a small organization now and can't justify such fees. We'll keep you in mind for the future. (J.H.).
A: Thank you for your message. You may want to look at our IslamiClip clip art collection and see if you like to use one of the calligraphic designs as a logo. Some of these designs are quite attractive.
http://sakkal.com/IslamiClip1.html
May Allah bless and guid you.

Q: We are interested in designing buttons, logo, and backgrounds for our home page. The subject is related to Arabic bulletin board. We appreciate it if you send us the way to negotiate the matter with you and the type of payments you prefer. Thank you (G.G..).
A: I will be happy to design the logo, buttons, and background images for your web site. The fee for the this work will depend on how many different versions are required and will be between $4,000 and $6,000. If this is within your budget then please send me more information about your project and I will prepare a letter of agreement for your review and approval.

Wedding and Invitation Cards

Q: I have a question about designs for invitations. You only make the design for the invitation, correct? You do not make actual invitations? If I wanted wedding invitations with the couples names written on the cover, I would have you make the pattern and go to someone else to make the invitation with the design on it? I don't quite understand what the $600 [name design fee] is covering. It only pays for the design, right? Please clear this up for me. Thanks so much (A).
A: You are right: the fee indicated ($600) is for the design of the names, then you have to take the design and use it on your invitation. In addition you will get prints of the design which are suitable for framing. I can do the complete design for the invitation for an additional fee. This will depend on what you want to do. If you are interested then please send me additional information about what you would like to do and I will tell you what it will cost.

Q: i was wondering if you design islamic wedding cards as well...if not, could you refer me to anyone who can indeed fulfill my request (SS).
A: You can review my services for wedding card design at
http://sakkal.com/SakkalCaligNames.html
If this is not what you are looking for, then you may want to check your local area Arab and Muslim businesses to see if someone offers design or printing. Good luck.

Q: I am interested in having my Wedding Invitations in English and Arabic. Can you please advise if you can do this? If so, what is the cost for approximately 30 Invitations (C).
A: Thank you for your message. Although I can design the invitations for you, my fees are usually too high for this type of work. I charge $75 per hour, and the time required for this project will be 10-15 hours depending on what is required.
Thank you for your interest, and best wishes for your wedding.

Q: Im getting marrried soon and I have yet to find someone who does arabic wedding invitations. I really need help. I live in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Can you suggest somebody to me that I can pay to help do them or do you have a catalogue you can send me (S).
A:
We do only designs for names to be used in invitation but we do not do the cards themselves. http://www.sakkal.com/SakkalCaligNames.html
For invitation please see http://www.zafafinvitations.com

Other Products

Q: I am the Chairperson for the Canadian Arab Heritage Day. We were thinking of selling T-shirts with Arabic calligraphy as a design. I also saw the T-shirts you have with the arab world map.
Just wandering, how much would they cost us if we were to sell them during our heritage day? Keep in mind, we are a non-profit organization and so, any help is appreciated.
Your designs are absolutely beautiful and breathe taking. Keep up the good work (R. A.).
A: These shirts are currently sold out. Please see ordering information for more details.

Q: We have friends that are Palestinian Christians. Do you have a selection of greeting cards are written in arabic, but are not targeted to muslims?
A: Our Salaam series of cards (600 series) is appropriate for Christian Arabs. With "Peace on Earth," "Salaam, Peace," and "Justice and Peace," the calligraphy and graphics work well for Holidays or other occasions. Please see the examples at the lower part of
http://sakkal.com/Graphics/Eid02_order.html
Cards 911-SG and 914-SG can be used for any occasion because there is not text involved, only abstract arabesque patterns. Our 700 series is also used sometimes by Christian Arabs, but our 800 series is based on a phrase which only Muslims usually use.

Q: How can I apply "Stylistic Sets" in your Arabic font Bustan?
A: Stylistic Sets are illustrated in Bustan's brochure on pages 8-38 and posted in this website:
http://www.sakkal.com/type/bustan_brochure/index.html
Stylistic Sets are applied to selected text from the Character menu:
Character > OpenType > Stylistic Sets

To apply more than one Stylistic Set, repeat the procedure.


IslamiClip Clip Art

For questions related to Clip Art please go to Clip FAQ page.

IslamiClip Calligraphic Designs #1



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