Minneapolis Institute of Art

Panel with calligraphy

Morocco

Date

second half of 20th century

Medium

Polyester, metallic thread

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

In Islamic Africa, calligraphy is not only found on writing boards and paper, but also on blades, ceramics, and textiles. Woven into this cloth are two verses from chapters 21 and 96 from the Qur’an. On the right is “Taught man what he did not know, ” which refers to God’s gift of knowledge to humans. The left one, in which God addresses the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), reads: “We did not send you except as a mercy for humankind.” Such striking textiles would be hung in private homes, mosques, or Qur’anic schools. Interpretation of text: Taught man what he did not know. We did not send you but as a mercy for humankind. Morocco

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