Turkish Embassy honors winners of Islamic calligraphy contest in Bangladesh

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – The Turkish Embassy in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Sunday held an award ceremony for a recent Islamic calligraphy competition.

Organized during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, observed this year between early April and May, the contest aimed “to revive and promote the classical art of Islamic calligraphy” and as “a platform for the youth of Bangladesh to express themselves in this form of art.”

It was put on by a local organization, Youth Opportunities, with the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka and flag carrier Turkish Airlines among the partners for the competion.

From over 700 participants, Mahmudul Hasan won the top prize, while Shamsunnahar Tasnim and Usama Haque came in second and third, respectively.

The winner received a return Turkish Airlines Dhaka-Istanbul ticket, a laptop and a gift voucher, while the runners-up took home a laptop and a gift voucher.

“All artists who took part in the competition showed exceptional skills and created remarkable works of calligraphy,” said Mustafa Osman Turan, the Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh, who was the guest of honor at the ceremony.

Emrah Karaca, country manager in Bangladesh for Turkish Airlines, recalled the “golden days” of traditional calligraphy during the Ottoman era.

He lauded the young Bangladeshi artists for their interest in the field and hailed their admirable skills in the art form.

Karaca added that such events will further strengthen cultural ties between Türkiye and Bangladesh.