Egypt’s Al-Azhar establishes institute for Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation

CAIRO – 20 July 2026: The Supreme Council of Al-Azhar, Egypt's highest Sunni institution headed by Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, has approved the establishment of Al-Azhar Institute for Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation.

The institute will operate under the specialized education system of Al-Azhar Institutes Sector, Al-Azhar said in a statement on Sunday.

The initiative is part of Al-Azhar's strategy to prepare specialists who combine academic study with practical training in Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation. It also aims to revive this authentic Arab art, preserve the nation's cultural heritage, and instill its aesthetic values in younger generations.

According to the decision, the institute's academic program will span three years, after which graduates will receive an intermediate technical qualification in Arabic calligraphy and ornamentation.

Outstanding students will be eligible to continue their studies for an additional two years to earn a specialized certificate equivalent to a post-secondary qualification.

The institute will admit students who hold the Al-Azhar preparatory certificate or an equivalent qualification, provided they pass written and oral entrance examinations as well as a personal interview.