DOING Arabic calligraphy (khat) on canvas calms Ahmad Baihaqi Noor Azman.
The 20-year-old, who was diagnosed with autism three years ago, said it has helped build his self-confidence and navigate emotions.
The youngest of eight siblings said his interest was sparked when he was nine and studying at Sekolah Rendah Islam Al Furqan in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, where the art was taught.
“I achieved excellent results in the subject,” he told Bernama.
When he was at Sekolah Menengah Ugama Al-Kauthar in Peringat, Kota Baru, he started creating calligraphy pieces as retirement mementos for teachers.
His hobby turned into a serious pursuit when his uncle Mohd Fudzi Ibrahim commissioned a khat piece for his homestay in 2023, for RM300.
“That gave me the motivation to take it more seriously.
“I began looking through social media to learn new techniques and styles,” said Ahmad.
Earlier this year, he sought the help of khat teacher Hamdi Che Wahid to hone his skill in the Diwani Jali and Thuluth scripts.
According to Ahmad, Diwani Jali is known for its intricacy while Thuluth is regarded as Umm al-Khutut or the mother of all scripts.
“Diwani Jali is generally used for names, while Thuluth is for writing surah.
“Line arrangement and ornamentation are crucial to ensure balance and beauty in each piece,” Ahmad explained.
“Each artwork begins with preparing the background, then painted using acrylics, followed by the khat and final colouring.”
To maintain his focus, Ahmad lights bukhoor (incense) and plays calming music, taking time − ranging from a day to a month − to finish a piece.
“I also create bookmarks and small art pieces, priced from RM5 to RM3,000,” he said.
His parents Norizan Ibrahim and Noor Azman Abdullah fully support his calling, said Ahmad.
His khat has been presented to dignitaries, including the Kelantan royal family, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and singer Nabila Razali.
The public can view his work or place an order via the Rantau Jaya Craf Facebook page or Instagram handle, Ahmdbaihaq1.
