The Punjab Arts Council on Saturday organized national-level Islamic calligraphy competitions in collaboration with Ashraf- Ul-Qalam Calligraphy Foundation. Interim Minister for Primary & Secondary Healthcare Dr, Jamal Nasir was the Chief Guest of the opening and prize distribution ceremony of Islamic Calligraphy competitions. While addressing the participants of the competitions he said Husn-e-Tehreer (calligraphy) was the Islamic civilization and cultural heritage. At the beginning of the Islamic civilization, the importance of the preservation of tradition and the sanctity of the word, and then the deep commitment of Muslims to the promotion and dissemination of sciences and arts, resulted in the art of calligraphy gaining extraordinary importance, he added. He said this art was related to the Holy Quran. “Calligraphers add their creative and conscientious spirit by writing Quranic verses or hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH) in a unique style,” he ended. Finally, he congratulated the calligraphers from all over the country for presenting beautiful works. On the occasion, Director of Punjab Arts Council Waqar Ahmad said Islamic calligraphy is the legacy of Muslims. “The tradition of calligraphy is centuries old and our calligraphers are the trustees of this tradition who have kept this art alive. We should focus on teaching our children creative literature along with formal education. Arts Council is taking a lot of steps to promote Islamic calligraphy. Islamic calligraphy classes are a link in this chain,” he added. Chairman Ashraf-ul-Qalam Calligraphy Foundation Muhammad Ashraf Hieera said there is the immense talent of calligraphy in Pakistan, which only needs to be developed. Pakistani children can shine the name of the country in calligraphy competitions around the world. Finally, Mohammad Ashraf Heera thanked the Punjab Arts Council and reiterated his commitment to holding Islamic calligraphy competitions in the near future with the support of the Punjab Arts Council. Muhammad Azeem Iqbal, Nasir Seemab, Khalid Yousufi, Faisal Iqbal, Asrar Farooqui, Shabbir Ahmed Zia, Maimoona Humayun performed the duties of the judges in the National Calligraphy competitions.