ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A Kurdish calligrapher from Ranya, Sulaimani province has been awarded for his work by the Turkish president in Istanbul. Ali Hassan Zaman received the prize from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after entering the International Hilya al-Sharif Contest held in Turkey. “It is such an awesome feeling when you are awarded by a president of a state and you see the outcome of your efforts,” said Zaman. Hilya is a physical description of the Prophet Mohammed that has been developed as a decorative art form by calligraphers and illuminators. Speaking at the award ceremony, Erdogan said, “Our ancestors’ special efforts in calligraphy and Hilya al-Sharif stem from our profound and heartfelt love for our Prophet.” Zaman, 46, a native of Ranya on the north shore of Dukan Lake, now lives with his spouse and two children in Istanbul. He has worked as a goldsmith but has been focusing on calligraphy for five years. He told Rudaw “More than 700 people took part in the competition. Because I was among the top ten participants, Recep Tayyip Erdogan awarded me.” Zaman’s piece will be displayed in one of Turkey’s museums, he explained, and he received a certificate and a cash prize. He has also been offered Turkish citizenship. “Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised to offer Turkish citizenship to me, my spouse and two children,” Zaman said. “I am working on this. I will probably become a Turkish citizen a near future.” Zaman said he has no plans to return to the Kurdistan Region, saying he is comfortable in Istanbul, “because I feel that my works are appreciated and given importance here.” He did not receive similar appreciation for his art in Ranya, he explained. “Once I opened an exhibition in Ranya and called on the mayor to open it and see the works, but he did not come.” Zaman’s spouse supports his work. “Sometimes he asks for my consultation in his works, and I offer him suggestions,” she told Rudaw. “He often accepts my suggestions. It happened often after he put my suggestions in practice, they turned into beautiful works.” Zaman previously came first in the Safer international calligraphist competition held in Najaf in 2016. Another Kurd, Zeyad Muhandis from Erbil, was also awarded by the Turkish president in the competition. Five others, Farhad Yasen, Khalil Mantik, Saman Kaka Dewan, Serwan Barzinji, and Marewan Salih, ranked between 11th and 20th in the competition and received awards from the Turkish Ministry of Culture.
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