Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Spring 2026 Arabic Calligraphy Workshop, held on Friday, April 10th from 3–5 PM at the 18th Avenue Library (Rooms 070/090). The event was a beautiful celebration of culture, creativity, and community, organized for the third time by NESA Arabic Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Teaching, Marie-Thérèse Labaki.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors whose support made this event possible: the Office of Engagement, the Middle East Studies Center, University Libraries, the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and the Department of Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures. Your contributions allow us to continue offering meaningful, community-engaged learning experiences like this one.
We also thank ETS for filming the event, The Lantern’s reporter and photographer for their coverage, and all the dedicated volunteers from the OSU and Columbus communities who helped bring the workshop to life 🤍
With more than 50 attendees, the workshop offered a rich introduction to the history and cultural significance of Arabic calligraphy, followed by creating Arabic calligraphy artwork for words such as "peace," " love/affection/care," and "dignity," while enjoying a sweet taste of traditional Arabic desserts. By doing so, the event highlighted the richness and diversity of Arab heritage while creating a welcoming space for learning, connection, and shared experience.
We are especially grateful to Master Calligrapher Dr. Muhammad Habib, who visited OSU from Harvard University for the third time to lead this annual workshop. Dr. Habib shared not only his exceptional technical expertise but also the artistic depth and cultural significance of Arabic calligraphy, making the hands-on experience truly memorable.
At the end of the workshop, seven outstanding artworks were selected by Dr. Habib for a special exhibition at the Hagerty Hall Intercultural Gallery, on view from April 13–17, 2026.
From the beauty of the scripts to the joy of learning, Dr. Habib’s visit brought together deep academic knowledge and a timeless artistic tradition. This was truly a memorable NESA event. OSU students expressed their appreciation and are already looking forward to next year’s workshop, insha’Allah.
Additionally, we have some short videos for you to enjoy!
We appreciate everyone involved in making these events a success!