Some art catches your eye. Some makes you stop and look again. And then there is art that stays with you because it makes you feel something. For me, calligraphy belongs to that category.

I usually write about technology, education, youth and social issues. Art and calligraphy are not subjects I normally write about. But I have always appreciated people who work quietly, create something meaningful and continue their efforts without expecting recognition. The work of Midhat Fatima from Shopian, Kashmir, made me look at Arabic calligraphy differently and, eventually, made me write about it.
At first, calligraphy may look like beautiful handwriting. Look closer, and you discover something deeper. Every letter has a shape, every space has a purpose, and every stroke reflects patience and practice. It brings language and art together on a single page.
Arabic calligraphy is a beautiful example of this. Arabic letters flow, connect and take different forms, allowing words to become part of the artwork itself. When those words carry a deeper meaning, the experience becomes even more powerful. You do not simply read them. You begin to see them differently.
I do not know Midhat closely, so I would not claim to know her entire journey. But from what I have seen of her work and her involvement in Arabic teaching and creative activities, I believe her efforts deserve recognition.
Midhat has completed her MA in Arabic and has contributed as a writer to various books including “لا تحزن إن الله معنا”, “Inner Battle”, “نفس امارة بالسوء”, “معلومات قرآن” and “سنہرے حروف”. Her work reflects a connection with Arabic that goes beyond studying the language. It brings learning and creativity together.
What I find particularly admirable about Midhat is the sincerity behind her work. At a time when much of what we create is shared for quick attention, choosing to invest time in Arabic, teaching and calligraphy reflects patience and purpose. Her work shows that creativity does not always need a large audience to have value. Sometimes, the quiet commitment to learning, creating and preserving something meaningful is itself worthy of appreciation. For me, that is what makes her work stand out.
Calligraphy also feels different in today's digital age. We can type thousands of words within minutes and create designs with a few clicks. Handwritten calligraphy demands time, concentration, control and repeated practice. Every stroke carries the effort of the person who created it.
Arabic calligraphy holds an even deeper place for many people because of its connection with the Quran, Islamic learning, literature and spiritual expression. A meaningful verse or phrase can make us pause, read and reflect.
That is where calligraphy can touch the soul.
In Kashmir, keeping such artistic and linguistic traditions alive matters. But traditions survive only when people continue to practise, teach and create.
Midhat's work is one example of this quiet effort.
And this brings me to something beyond calligraphy.
There are many people around us who work quietly. They teach, create, write, preserve and practise, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. We admire the finished work but rarely think about the person behind it.
I see them as the invisible hands of our society.
They are invisible not because their work lacks value, but because we often fail to notice it. A teacher helping a few students, an artist preserving a traditional form, a writer documenting ideas or someone keeping a cultural practice alive may never become widely known. Yet their contribution still matters.
This is why I encourage Midhat to continue her work in Arabic teaching and calligraphy. Her efforts are one example of the many quiet contributions taking place across Kashmir that deserve to be noticed.
We often speak about preserving our language and culture. Perhaps one simple way to do that is to recognise the people who are already doing the work.
For those interested in Arabic calligraphy and Midhat's work, she shares her work on Instagram at @midhatfatima560.
We often admire the beauty of a finished artwork without thinking about the patience behind it.
Calligraphy makes that patience visible.
Perhaps that is why it stays with us.
Behind every meaningful piece of work, there may be an invisible hand that deserves to be seen. Sometimes, recognising that hand is the first step towards truly appreciating the art.

Email:-------------------------majidqurashi958@gmail.com