Afghan Woman’s Handwritten Quran Project Draws Global Attention

HERAT: A young Afghan calligrapher in the historic city of Herat has captured international attention by undertaking the remarkable task of hand-copying the Holy Quran along with its Pashto translation.

Twenty-five-year-old Nagita Durrani, a skilled calligrapher, said she is currently working on writing the entire Quran by hand with a Pashto translation. She revealed that she has previously completed several sections of the Quran on large-format pages and considers the current project the fulfillment of her lifelong dream.

According to Durrani, Quran manuscripts were often produced collectively in the past, but she is carrying out this ambitious work on her own. She described the project as the most important goal of her life.

Durrani began learning Quranic writing and Arabic calligraphy at the age of 15 under the guidance of renowned Herat calligrapher Mir Wali Ahmad. She said Herat’s rich calligraphic heritage, which dates back more than a thousand years, inspired her to pursue the art form.

The young artist also noted that her calligraphy products are exported to the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. She emphasized that her work is not only a business venture but also a message showcasing the creativity, talent, and craftsmanship of Afghan women.

Durrani’s dedication to preserving the tradition of Islamic calligraphy has been widely praised as a powerful example of devotion to the Quran and the enduring cultural heritage of Afghanistan.