Shafiq Uz-Zaman Khan, also known as “Al-Haram Calligrapher” in Saudi Arabia, has seen his lifelong passion for calligraphy, sparked in his childhood, lead him to one of the holiest and largest mosques in the world! Born in Rawalpindi and raised in Karachi, the 68-year-old artist first discovered his love for calligraphy while painting signboards for shops around Pakistan’s bustling capital to make ends meet.

In 1979, a random encounter with a Saudi businessman in Karachi changed his life forever

The businessman, captivated by Khan’s artistry, invited him to work at his company in Riyadh. Khan quickly proved his brilliance as a calligrapher in the advertising world, which eventually led to an even greater opportunity, which was a job in Madinah. He had actually won a competition to restore art from the Ottoman Era, thus prompting him to move to the Prophet’s city.

Today, three of Khan’s magnificent paintings hang in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa, each crafted with 24-karat gold!

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Khan’s incredible journey reached a proud pinnacle when Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, honored him for his exceptional contributions and mastery in the art of calligraphy. It’s truly a proud moment for both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan!