Siraj Reda Allaf

AI, Art, Projects, Education ...

Saudi artist and licensed Arabic calligrapher. He holds many merits and awards and is one of the most famous teachers in the field of teaching Arabic calligraphy, especially in E-learning. One of the pioneers in integrating AI and Arabic calligraphy. Engineering Consultant and PhD candidate in Computer Engineering.

Recent Courses

5 - 11 DEC 2021

Riyadh | 24 - 26 JAN 2022

Arabic calligraphy has wide areas of diversity, flexibility and ability to develop
Artificial intelligence can use them to produce impressive results

I This is my story

Enjoyable journey

Siraj Allaf learned Arabic calligraphy in a classic and rigorous way through a regular study with his teacher the famous calligrapher Ibrahim Al-Arafi in the corridors of the Holy Mosque in Makkah until he obtained the Arabic Calligraphy license (Ijazah) from him.
As an integral part of the Meccan culture, the sciences taught in the Holy Mosque require high discipline and commitment in addition to diligence and perseverance.
On the other hand, the academic major he chose was casting a shadow on his personality. Studying computer engineering, in which he reached the doctorate stage, led him to have an open mentality to modern technologies and different cultures, and formed his artistic personality influenced by the strict classical school, which requires the highest sober technical standards, in addition to absorbing the vast spaces provided by modern technologies and various arts to produce artworks characterized by high craftsmanship, modernity, and openness to other cultures.

And the journey continues

Al-ijazah or the license in Arabic calligraphy is considered as one of the literature of classical learning. Its concept is to reach a cognitive and scientific stage that qualifies the calligrapher to hold the title of a teacher in addition to the title of artist. To achieve this, the calligrapher has to get a certificate from his teacher allowing him to teach this art in a systematic and methodical way that guarantees the quality of what he presents to his students according to the literature of learning the art of Arabic calligraphy.

Siraj Allaf obtained his license in Arabic calligraphy from his teacher and began to practice teaching and training Arabic calligraphy on a continuous basis through many courses and regular lessons, and this led to the apprenticeship of a large number of male and female students around the world. Siraj chose a method that combines the use of traditional tools in teaching Arabic calligraphy in addition to modern technical options such as distance learning techniques, and became one of the most providers of this type of courses around the world.  Allaf’s courses were also distinguished by a new methodology based on providing a flexible interactive environment that ensures a high level of benefit from the courses.

Research and development

about003

Research and development

Siraj believes that the development of any art is closely related to the ability of those interested in it to make optimal use of the available technologies at any point in time and using them to appear in a different way that bears the same artistic characteristics in addition to the ability to work with the ongoing changes and upcoming challenges. Therefore, it is the duty of the artist to search for new ideas and know the precise methods of expressing art in a modern style.

Siraj Allaf is considered one of the first specialists in the field of artificial intelligence who adapted AI techniques to serve and teach the art of Arabic calligraphy, especially since there is a global trend to digitize arts and sciences, as well as the  Saudi tendency to spread Arabic and Islamic art globally.

Allaf has adapted complex AI techniques to serve many technical and educational purposes, according to a unique and unprecedented academic methodology. He has published refereed scientific papers in this field, which helps to transform the Arabic letter into a modern, advanced, and adaptable tool of knowledge at all levels.

Merit

The technical and cognitive experience gained by calligrapher Siraj Allaf, in addition to his different artistic views, led him to appear as a speaker, lecturer, and presenter of training workshops in many cultural institutions and prestigious universities in the world such as UNESCO, Ithra, and KAUST.

Siraj Allaf received many awards and merits during his years of practicing the art of Arabic calligraphy by obtaining advanced positions in a number of competitions, in addition to selecting a number of his works for acquisition from many personalities and destinations around the world. A number of his works were also selected for public display in some important sites in The kingdom. He was also selected as an arbiter for the largest Arabic calligraphy competitions in Saudi Arabia.

The Professional Artist

The Professional Artist

During his years of work as a professional calligrapher, Siraj Allaf worked as a consultant and technical expert in a number of technical projects with many well-known authorities. He gained their trust and appreciation which resulted in the repetition of experiments for several times. The reason for this is due to his high professionalism due to his professional experience as a certified engineering consultant in addition to his experience in the field of Arabic calligraphy and technology spanning more than 20 years.

In 2013, Siraj Allaf established Hrofiat Est. (The World of Islamic Art) in order to develop the work in the art field in an institutional way to be a professional umbrella that brings together distinguished calligraphers and provides professional services to the public.

Hrofiat is the first Saudi establishment in this field, and Siraj Allaf is currently chairing its board of directors.


Classicism & Modernity... Two Manifestations of One Light








Classicism & Modernity.. Two Manifestations of One Light

| On Media..

صحيفة عكاظ

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Ministry of Education

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صحيفة الشرق الأوسط

خطاطون سعوديون: التقنية سلبت الخط العربي روحه

اخبارية بقعاء

تنمية بقعاء تنفذ ورشة عمل الخط العربي ” الخط الديواني “

قناة إقرأ

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وزارة التعليم

الخط العربي ينال الإعجاب في احتفالية الملحقية الثقافية  في جامعة كارلتون

صحيفة اليوم

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مجلة القافلة

وزارة‭ ‬الثقافة‭ ‬تحتفي‭ ‬بالخط‭ ‬العربي‭ ‬وفنونه‭ ‬وتمد‭ ‬فعالياته‭ ‬حتى‭ ‬نهاية‭ م 2021‭ 

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وكالة الأنباء السعودية

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برنامج سيدتي

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وزارة الثقافة

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Arab News

The complex relationship between Arabic calligraphy & technology