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Dedicated
to the
Islamic
Sacred Arts

Welcome to Deen Arts Foundation South Africa

To inspire, educate and connect students, teachers, researchers,
artists and lovers of traditional Islamic sacred arts.

To inspire, educate and connect students, teachers, researchers, artists and lovers of traditional Islamic sacred arts.

Student Testimonials

I started learning Arabic calligraphy just over a year ago, and Alhamdullilah it has been a journey that has exceeded all expectations. It has taught me patience, acceptance and contentment with all of life's myriad challenges, and given me a space to pour out worries, sadness, fear and longing, and to find peace and joy. Learning under Ustaadhah Zulfar makes the journey even more special. Her love for this special Art is infectious, and her patience and dedication to her students is truly a gift.

Aisha bint Zaid

Cape Town, Islamic Studies Student, Started: October 2023

Shahryanshah Hoca's teaching style is exemplary. Very interactive, doesn’t spoon feed you, teaches you the rules and principles and then makes you answer your own questions. Outstanding.

REHANA DAVIDS

Johannesburg, Speech Therapist - Started: August 2023

Alhamdulillah, I’ve been enjoying connecting with people who share the same interests as me. What I love even more is exploring everything we’re learning about Islamic art beyond just the writing.

MARYAM JOEL

Port Elizabeth, Madressa teacher - Started: April 2024

If I look back at my initial pieces of work, I see much improvement as we went along. I have also learnt patience, as well as more about the Quranic quotes we write as the Arabic texts are explained by the Ustaadah.

GAFIFAH DA COSTA

Cape Town, Retired teacher - Started: November 2023

I am in complete awe of the beauty and richness of Maghrebi script. Under the guidance of Badr Hoca, learning  this script has been an enriching experience. These letters display a natural feel of long strokes and circular movements, which envelopes a state of tranquility. We learn that the art of calligraphy teaches moral values, like discipline and patience, and to be steadfast and thankful for the gift of knowledge.

ATIKA PLATO

Cape Town, Islamic Studies Student - Started: June 2023

Doing traditional Arabic calligraphy has  changed my outlook on life

RUWAYDA AHMED

Durban, Teacher, Started - March 2023

I love learning about the finer details and continually refining the bigger ones. Subhanallah, I have been taught more than the lines and curves made on a page. This journey has been more of a refinement of the self than the movement of a hand. I truly admire the generational efforts that calligraphers must have put in to make the writing more beautiful and easier for all to follow.

SALAAMAH AREND

Cape Town, Islamic Studies Student, Started - June 2023

Haji Noor Deen Hoca has been blessed with many accomplishments in the Arabic Calligraphy field. And I am honoured to be one of his students and to carefully learn the art of calligraphy. My goal one day (God willing) is to write the Holy Quran and to also teach and spread the knowledge of Arabic Calligraphy.

Suhaifa Abubakir

Durban. B.Comm Student & Islamic Arts Teacher - Started: October 2020

Studying Arabic calligraphy in the Chinese Style under Haji Noor Deen Hoca has been a life-changing experience for me. This wonderful opportunity provided by Deen Arts Foundation came at a time when the world was in turmoil amidst the COVID crisis, and for me, it was a solace, and means of connection to my Creator. The love that Hoca has for this art, and his enthusiasm in sharing his knowledge and skills has benefitted us, his students, immeasurably.

Sabiha Jhetam-Loonat

Cape Town, Medical Doctor Started - September 2020

Under Haji Noor Deen Hoça’s mentorship, I got to appreciate how Arabic Calligraphy is a means for spiritual refinement as it requires diligence and consistency. I also have a special interest in Tezhip and I am a student of Master Tezhip artist, Fatma Ulusoy Sirajuddin Hoça. It is a privilege indeed to learn from such incredibly talented artists and teachers.

Shaheen Rajabally

Cape Town, Student of Islamic Sciences & Business Manager - Started: September 2021

The Tezhip class with Fatma Ululsoy Sirajjudin Hoca has been a soulful journey of learning traditional methods that are steeped in love, from the preparation of the paper to the final touches.

Nazeemah Soomar

Durban, Occupational Therapist - Started: September 2022

Haji Noor Deen Hoca is very patient with his students and explains with detail.His knowledge is immense.The more I learn,the more I’m intrigued and want to learn more.

Sharmeen Haroon Osman

Pretoria, Bespoke Artist - Started: September 2020

What I enjoy most about doing the course is the patience of Haji Noor Deen Hoca. We learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of the other students.

Omar Brey

Cape Town, Medical Doctor - Started: January 2021

Haji Noor Deen Hoca has been blessed with many accomplishments in the Arabic Calligraphy field. And I am honoured to be one of his students and to carefully learn the art of calligraphy. My goal one day (God willing) is to write the Holy Quran and to also teach and spread the knowledge of Arabic Calligraphy.

Suhaifa Abubakir

Durban. B.Comm Student & Islamic Arts Teacher - Started: October 2020

Studying Arabic calligraphy in the Chinese Style under Haji Noor Deen Hoca has been a life-changing experience for me. This wonderful opportunity provided by Deen Arts Foundation came at a time when the world was in turmoil amidst the COVID crisis, and for me, it was a solace, and means of connection to my Creator. The love that Hoca has for this art, and his enthusiasm in sharing his knowledge and skills has benefitted us, his students, immeasurably.

Sabiha Jhetam-Loonat

Cape Town, Medical Doctor Started - September 2020

Under Haji Noor Deen Hoça’s mentorship, I got to appreciate how Arabic Calligraphy is a means for spiritual refinement as it requires diligence and consistency. I also have a special interest in Tezhip and I am a student of Master Tezhip artist, Fatma Ulusoy Sirajuddin Hoça. It is a privilege indeed to learn from such incredibly talented artists and teachers.

Shaheen Rajabally

Cape Town, Student of Islamic Sciences & Business Manager - Started: September 2021

The Tezhip class with Fatma Ululsoy Sirajjudin Hoca has been a soulful journey of learning traditional methods that are steeped in love, from the preparation of the paper to the final touches.

Nazeemah Soomar

Durban, Occupational Therapist - Started: September 2022

Haji Noor Deen Hoca is very patient with his students and explains with detail.His knowledge is immense.The more I learn,the more I’m intrigued and want to learn more.

Sharmeen Haroon Osman

Pretoria, Bespoke Artist - Started: September 2020

What I enjoy most about doing the course is the patience of Haji Noor Deen Hoca. We learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of the other students.

Omar Brey

Cape Town, Medical Doctor - Started: January 2021