Khalil al-Zahawi

Khalil al-Zahawi (Arabic: خليل الزهاوي‎; 1946 - 25 May 2007) was one of Iraq's most prominent calligraphers.

Life and career

An ethnic Kurd and a native of Diyala Governorate, he began studying calligraphy in 1959, and moved to Baghdad in 1963, where he gave his first exhibition in 1965. He later graduated from the Fine Arts Institute of Baghdad, and proceeded to work for the State Directorate for the Plastic Arts in the 1980s.[1] Eventually, he found work as a lecturer at Baghdad University.[2] He lived in eastern Baghdad's Na'eriyah neighbourhood, a predominantly Shi'a area and part of the New Baghdad administrative district. He had received threats before his death, and had been preparing to leave Baghdad for Irbil.[3][4]

Al-Zahawi was especially active in the 1990s, when he had realized the beauty of calligraphy and when he taught students from various countries of the Middle East and beyond. He was considered the foremost calligrapher in the Ta'liq method; his style was notable for lengthening individual letters until they appeared as long as words. His textbook of Ta'liq was used in Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan as well as in his home country.[3] According to the Sunni Muslim Scholars' Association, he was considered the "sheikh" of Iraqi calligraphers, and only calligraphers who had passed his review could be considered proficient.[5][6]

On 25 May 2007, al-Zahawi was ambushed by gunmen outside his home in the district of Baghdad while waiting for a taxi, and shot to death.[2][7] His body was returned to his hometown for an Islamic funeral.[4]

See also

References
  1. "تقارير - العنف قتل شيخ الخطاطين العرب "الكردي" خليل الزهاوي". Peyamner News Agency. 2007-05-28. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  2. Ravi Nessman (May 28, 2007). "U.S. military frees 42 captives kidnapped by al-Qaeda in raid on hideout in Iraq's northeast". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  3. Janega, James (2007-05-28). "Baghdad art scene reels after slaying". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  4. Shaw, James (2007-05-27). "Leading Muslim calligrapher shot". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  5. "FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, May 27". Reuters. May 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  6. James Shaw (27 May 2007). "Leading Muslim calligrapher shot". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  7. "Leading Iraqi calligrapher killed". ABC News (Australia) Online. May 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
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