KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, presented awards to ten Indonesian winners of the 13th International Calligraphy Competition organized by the Istanbul Research Center for Islamic Culture and Arts (IRCICA). The ceremony took place at the headquarters of Nahdlatul Ulama in Central Jakarta, (21/7/2025), with the presence of IRCICA Director General Prof. Dr. Mahmut Erol Kilic and NU Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf.

Minister Fadli expressed his appreciation for the achievements of the ten Indonesian winners, who have brought pride to the nation as the country with the world’s largest Muslim population. He emphasized that IRCICA’s calligraphy competition is a valuable platform for promoting Islamic art globally, including in Indonesia.

“I sincerely thank and appreciate IRCICA for organizing the 13th International Calligraphy Competition. This year, Indonesia proudly earned ten winning positions. Congratulations to the students, university participants, and Islamic boarding school students who were among the champions,” Minister Fadli stated.

He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s full support for the development of Islamic art in Indonesia by encouraging the active involvement of santri or Islamic boarding school students. As part of this effort, the Ministry is initiating a Santri Film Festival as a creative platform to cultivate interest in filmmaking and foster artistic expression within pesantren communities.

“Film is an important platform because it encompasses various art forms—acting, dance, music, theater, literature, even culinary and fashion. Advancing culture is not the task of one or two institutions alone, but of all, including the pesantren,” he added.

This year’s 13th IRCICA International Calligraphy Competition featured nine categories: Jaly Thuluth, Thuluth, Naskh, Muhaqqaq, Jaly Ta’liq, Ta’liq, Jaly Diwani, Diwani, and Kufi. A total of 640 calligraphy works from 511 participants representing 38 countries were submitted. Winners were officially announced on May 27, 2025, at IRCICA headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ten Indonesian artists received awards across several categories. Notable winners included Nafang Utama, who took first place in Jaly Diwani; Mufid Fauzan (third place); and honorable mentions for Achmad Jalaludin and Muhammad Hilal. In the Diwani category, Bukhori Ibnu Athoillah secured third place, while Rahadhyan Wisena Yusuf and Yusuf Elang Samudera earned honorable mentions. Other winners included Huda Purnawadi and Fadil Pujiarsa (Jaly Thuluth) and Mumsika (Kufi). Their works were showcased at IRCICA’s Library Exhibition from May 27 to June 4, 2025.

The competition also honored the legacy of M. Abdulaziz Al-Rifai, a legendary calligrapher known for his mastery in Jaly Thuluth, Thuluth, and Naskh styles. Throughout his life, Al-Rifai authored numerous poetic and artistic works, including twelve Qur’anic manuscripts and a broad influence on future generations of calligraphers.

In closing, Minister Fadli expressed hope for future collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Nahdlatul Ulama, and IRCICA in preserving Islamic art and calligraphy. He proposed hosting a regional calligraphy competition in Indonesia as a step forward in strengthening cultural cooperation.

“We hope to work together to foster cultural development, particularly in calligraphy and Islamic art,” he concluded.