“Top 500 Influential Muslims"

Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang is a Chinese calligrapher extraordinaire who has been producing Chinese-Arabic calligraphic art for over a decade. Born in 1963 in Yucheng, Shadong province of China, Haji

Noor Deen was the first Chinese national conferred with the honorable Certificate of Arabic Calligrapher in Egypt in 1997 Listed in the “Top 500 Influential Muslims of 2009,” Noor Deen’s calligraphic works have been displayed in distinguished galleries and museums around the world, including the National Museum of Scotland and at Harvard University’s Art Museum.

Last week, ATHR gallery hosted his solo exhibition, where his calligraphic artwork is currently on display for public view.
“We found his work a fitting theme for display in the month of Ramadan. He is such a brilliant artist,” said Hamza Serafi, co-founder of ATHR gallery.
Most of the pieces of his calligraphic work are an artistic exaltation celebrating the glory of God with the verses of the Holy Qur’an. There is an almost royal rendition in his presentation of visual imagery conforming to both literal and figurative senses with the beautiful usage of artistic complexities and geometric patterns by way of circles, flowers, vases, fruits, triangles, fans, scepters, swords, minarets, and rhombuses.
Deen’s art is the unique revival of the splendor of Islamic artistry and the wondrous role it has played in the expression and preservation of the word of the Qur’an by recipients of the Islamic message.
His work unites the domain of Islamic art with the tradition of Chinese calligraphy reproducing in the most balanced sense the Islamic doctrine of monotheism: “There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.”
“As a Chinese Muslim calligrapher, I have a deep sense of responsibility in promoting, propagating and carrying forward this intricate art form and precious cultural heritage,” Deen said.
Some of the most beautiful names of Allah and the sublime imagery of prostration are presented with an almost poignant artistic reverence using elaborate arabesque patterns and an intricate fusion of Chinese and Arabic alphabets.
In 2005, one of his artworks entitled “The 99 names of God” was acquired by the British Museum and is now permanently displayed at the gallery of Islamic art.
Deen was also the first Chinese student in 2008 to have studied under the mentorship of distinguished Sheikh Hassan Jalabi and calligrapher Dawoud Baktash.
His work has been extensively exhibited in a number of countries in Europe, America and the Middle East. With the import of the Islamic religion and its influence over generations of Chinese calligraphers, Deen’s work reflects a dedication to the unity of Arabic and Chinese cultural heritage that is aesthetically presented with a modern undertone.
“With determination and perseverance, with my hands and with the knowledge and talent bestowed on me by Allah the Almighty, I will seek to continue to craft the majestic and aesthetically pleasing cultural and artistic tradition,” Deen said.