Doha, January 25 (QNA) - The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), honored students who participated in the second school Arabic calligraphy competition, "Al-Raqeem", for the year 2025, in recognition of their efforts and distinguished participation. The competition targeted male and female students from both public and private schools.

The honoring ceremony was attended by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanim Al-Thani and HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi along with a number of educators and members of the Al-Raqeem competition committee.

HE the Undersecretary of Awqaf praised the integrative partnership between the two ministries, affirming that the Al-Raqeem competition represents a successful model of institutional cooperation aimed at instilling aesthetic and educational values among students. He noted that the initiative strengthens students' connection to the Holy Qur'an and Arab-Islamic identity through an authentic visual art-Arabic calligraphy.

For his part, HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education commended the efforts of the organizing committee, emphasizing that integrating traditional arts into the educational process contributes to the development of students' aesthetic sensibilities and the reinforcement of moral and human values. He added that the wide participation witnessed in the competition reflects its success and the strong engagement of the educational field.

The second edition of the school Arabic calligraphy competition, which launched in October and continued through December 2025, saw the participation of 479 male and female students from 24 public and private schools at the preparatory and secondary levels. This included four schools for students with disabilities, for both boys and girls-an important step reflecting the inclusivity of the competition and the breadth of its educational impact.

Students competed in the Ruq'ah script by writing the 23rd verse of Sourat Al-Isra. This choice aimed to link Arabic calligraphy skills with lofty moral values, foremost among them filial piety.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Qatar International Arabic Calligraphy Competition (Al-Raqeem), Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al Akhn Al Marri affirmed that the competition seeks to restore Arabic calligraphy to its rightful status as a core component of Arab and Islamic cultural identity. He explained that directing the competition toward school students aims to nurture a generation that appreciates artistic beauty rooted in Qur'anic values and understands the significance of Arabic calligraphy within the Arabic Islamic Nation's civilizational heritage.

He added that the wide participation this year, along with the inclusion of schools for students with disabilities, clearly demonstrates the success of the initiative and motivates the organizing committee to further develop future editions and expand its scope in service of its cultural and educational mission.

The competition also featured introductory programs and awareness workshops for participating students, including visual presentations on the history of Arabic calligraphy, its various styles, and tools. Training booklets and specialized Ruq'ah calligraphy pens were distributed to support students in developing their artistic skills and preparing for the final evaluations.

The competition is held under the supervision of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Museum of Islamic Art, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education through its departments of programs and activities, private schools, and kindergartens, with direct supervision from the administrations of participating schools.

Regarding participation statistics, the 2025 school edition of the Al-Raqeem Arabic calligraphy competition witnessed broad engagement from public and private schools, with a total of 479 students of various nationalities, including 110 Qatari students.

In public schools, 258 students from ten schools participated: Ibn Khaldoun Preparatory School for Boys, Abu Ubaidah Preparatory School for Boys, Hassan bin Thabit Secondary School for Boys, Omar bin Al-Khattab Secondary School for Boys, Al-Hidaya School for Boys with Disabilities, Granada Preparatory School for Girls, Zainab Preparatory School for Girls, Al-Shaymaa Secondary School for Girls, Al-Risala Secondary School for Girls, and Al-Hidaya School for Girls with Disabilities.

Private schools accounted for 221 participants representing fourteen schools: My School Academy, Global Universe Academy (Al-Waab), Al-Salam Fifth School, Queens International School, Palestinian School for Boys, Al-Furqan Secondary School for Boys, Al-Zaitoun International School (Al-Thumama), Cambridge International School, Next Generation School, Galileo International School, Al-Andalus School for Girls, Edison International School (Mureikh), Al-Maha Academy for Girls with Disabilities, and Al-Awsaj Academy for Students with Disabilities.

These figures underscore the breadth of school participation and the success of the Al-Raqeem competition in reaching diverse student groups, strengthening the presence of Arabic calligraphy within the educational environment, and advancing its cultural and educational objectives aimed at reinforcing Arab-Islamic identity and connecting younger generations with authentic aesthetic and Qur'anic values. (QNA)