KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The government is committed to elevating the art of calligraphy from an Islamic artistic heritage into a high-value sector capable of creating economic opportunities, nurturing local talent, and positioning Malaysia as a global reference point for the art form.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the effort must be implemented in a more structured manner by connecting calligraphy practitioners and entrepreneurs with multinational companies and potential investors.
He said the approach was important to ensure that calligraphy was not viewed solely from an artistic perspective but also recognised for its economic value in creating employment and generating income for those with talent and expertise in the craft.
"We aim to connect these calligraphy practitioners and entrepreneurs with multinational companies and potential investors to explore how we can elevate this art form into a high-value medium.
"For instance, it could be utilised for gifts at official functions, events, and competitions, so that the conversation is not about the art itself but the impact it has on the livelihoods of talented individuals," he said when officiating the World Calligraphy Art Exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre today.
Held in conjunction with the 66th International Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA), the exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Calligraphy and Jawi Association (KALIMA) and the National Calligraphy Art Association (PSKK), features 34 works, including two handwritten Quran manuscripts, by 17 exhibitors.
Zulkifli said the government, through the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), will continue to support and collaborate with KALIMA, PSKK, Darul Quran, and relevant agencies to expand efforts to elevate the art of calligraphy.
He said the time had come to revitalise the field, which had long received insufficient attention, through the MADANI Government's approach of taking collective responsibility to drive the effort forward.
"Although we recognise that jurisdiction over calligraphy, such as standardisation, falls under bodies like the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), we are stepping up to take responsibility for elevating the status of calligraphy through closer collaboration in the future," he said.
Zulkifli said the government had the resources, talent, and agencies that could be mobilised to realise the vision of establishing Malaysia as a global reference centre for calligraphy.
He also expressed hope that the World Calligraphy Art Exhibition in Malaysia could eventually achieve a reputation comparable to other world-class events such as the MTHQA, positioning Kuala Lumpur as a global reference point for calligraphy.
Our dream is to elevate the Malaysian World Calligraphy Exhibition to the same level as the MTHQA, creating a global calligraphy showcase that serves as an international reference point, and now is the time for the MADANI Government to shoulder that responsibility," he said.
-- BERNAMA