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Rasheed Butt of Islamabad, Pakistan picked up his life's vocation in 1961. Since then he has devoted his everything to Islamic calligraphy. His work in many kinds of medium are displayed at Mecca Gate, Mecca, Al Furqan Foundation London, Agha Khan medical college and Hospital in Karachi, the Senate of Pakistan, the Shah Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and numerous other places. Rasheed Butt's versatility in various kinds of khat is established in the Muslim world. It is no wonder that the famous Christie's had put up his work for auction a distinction not given to any living Muslim calligrapher.
The calligraphic inscriptions of Mr. Rasheed Butt fall into four catgories:a. Qur'anic: The Holy Qur'an falls into Chapters (Suras) and Verses (Ayat)
b. Hadith: The Hadith (Traditions) is the body of sayings attributed to the Prophet (bpuh).
c. Traditional invocations or prayers.
d. Poetry, both Arabic and Persian.
Another significant characteristic of Rasheed Butt's works is the serenading illumination. He is the first person in Pakistan who used illuminations in his work. Illumination, again an art sadly lost in the sands of time, at the hands of chilling complacence and continuing disinterestedness gradually slipping into oblivion is redeemed by Butt's own daughter Saira Butt.
Many publications including books on history of art and architecture, newspapers feature his work. Towards enhancing Islamic calligraphy in Pakistan he also teaches over Pakistan Television. He is the first to teach khat through the electronic media. He has had several one man exhibitions in Pakistan and overseas and also participated in several art exhibition in Iran, China, England, Iraq, Malaysia etc. He has received many awards and commendation particularly at the national level. For example he received the Pride of Performance (Highest Civil Award of the Government of Pakistan) in Arts and Culture.
"He does not sleep a single night without concentrating on ways and means of enhancing his contribution to Islamic calligraphy"
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Rasheed Butt, All rights reserved