CAIRO: Egyptian author Farag Hussein Farag won Iran’s 2008 Book Prize, for his book “The Fatimide Inscriptions and Writings on the Architectural Monuments.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which published the book, received an official letter from Iranian Affairs Office in Egypt announcing that the prize has gone to Farag, who will receive a trophy and a monetary award of $10,000.
“The Fatimide Inscriptions and Writings on the Architectural Monuments is an archaeological and artistic study.
“This thesis aims at studying the Fatimide writings and inscriptions in an archaeological and artistic prospect. The research demonstrates the development of Kufi Calligraphy: its origins, emergence, evolution and forms, explains Farag on the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s official website.
The study focuses on the material on which the inscriptions were engraved, and its impact on the way and quality and style of the engraving. The research also shows the relationship between Fatimide inscriptions and the historical, economic and political evolution of society.
The study also explains the Shia doctrine through Fatimide writings and inscriptions.
The book is part of Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s Calligraphy Center’s scientific series “Studies, which is part of their aim to publishing books and studies about calligraphy and inscriptions all over the world, starting from the prehistoric period up to the digital age.
The “Studies series will be released in several languages including Arabic, English, French, Spanish and German.
