Islamabad: (Parliament Times) An exhibition of Islamic calligraphy by eminent calligraphist Aftab Ahmed Khan opened here today at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology (Heritage Museum), Shakarparian under the aegis of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan. The exhibition has been organized to mark the holy month of Ramadan.
A prestigious opening ceremony featuring Na’tia kalam to pay tribute to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was held at Heritage Museum. Mr. Shafqat Jalil, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was the chief guest at the occasion. He inaugurated the exhibition with traditional ribbon cutting ceremony in full view of the national media. He also visited masterpieces of calligraphy material created by the calligraphist. 85-year old artist Aftab Ahmed Khan was not personally available in the exhibition due to his illness. He was represented by his son Ehsan Ullah Khan, who is also an established sculptor and photographer.
Around 50 masterpieces created by the artist have been displayed in the exhibition, which will continue at Lok Virsa Heritage Museum till last day of Ramadan daily from 10 am to 4 pm (except Monday).
In his address, Mr. Shafqat Jalil appreciated the works of calligraphist Mr. Aftab Ahmed Khan. He said “the artist has contributed immensely to promote the centuries’ old craft tradition and created new innovation in it”. He also commended the efforts of Lok Virsa to project the calligraphic art during the holy month of Ramadan.
A large number of students from Quaid-i-Azam University and IMCB I-10/1 attended the opening ceremony.
Earlier in her welcoming remarks, Ms. Shahera Shahid, Executive Director, Lok Virsa shed light on the works of artist Mr. Aftab Ahmed Khan. The purpose of holding the exhibition is to promote traditional art of calligraphy and to encourage practitioners associated with it in order to ensure its continuance for future generations, she said.