As part of Islamic History Month 2026, the IIT would like to invite you to participate in an Islamic Calligraphy Competition.
You can read about the details below.
If you would like to register, please use the form provided further below.
Note that there is a $5 participation fee at the time of uploading your designs.
Details
Rules of the Competition
Submission Deadline: October 9th, 2026
1. Original Work
All submissions must be the original, unaided work of the participant.
2. Inspiration & Public-Domain Works
Participants may take inspiration from, or look at, calligraphic works that are available in the public domain. However, tracing is not permitted.
3. Only One Entry
Participants may choose only one category for submission.
4. Submission Format
All entries must be submitted as a scanned image of the completed artwork and uploaded through the official entry form. The image file must not exceed 4 MB.
5. Vowels, Diacritical Marks & Embellishments
Participants may use vowels, diacritical marks and embellishments with the calligraphic text. For example, participants may use the honorific terms usually found near to the words Allah جل جلاله and Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم
6. Freehand Calligraphy
All calligraphy must be done using a freehand method. Participants may not use letters or words that have already been assembled by a calligraphy tool.
7. Digital Calligraphy
For entries made using a digital tool (e.g., Procreate), participants must use the freehand method with a digital brush or pen and declare that such a tool was used. Pre-assembled letters, words or fonts are not permitted.
8. Judging
All entries will be judged based on standard rules for Arabic calligraphy, style, proportion and beauty. The decision of judges will be final.
9. Rights to Submitted Artwork
By submitting an entry, participants agree to give the Islamic Institute all rights to the artwork, including display, posting to social media, websites, and any other means of communication.
Definitions
Adult Beginner – someone who has never formally studied or learned Islamic Calligraphy but has tried to do it on occasion.
Adult Intermediate – someone who has had some limited training in Islamic calligraphy – attended a class, a workshop or followed the art form and practiced using the tools available.
Adult Advanced – someone who has trained in the art or has formally studied it with a teacher, at a university or attended classes.
Note: your choice of your category is based on an honour system. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at registrar@islam.ca
Islamic Institute of Toronto •
A Place to Play, Ponder and Pray