Deen Arts Foundation South Africa is a registered non-profit company aimed to revive, promote and preserve the traditional Islamic sacred arts through offering a variety of workshops as well as connecting interested persons / students to master art teachers.
Deen Arts Foundation South Africa supports and emphasizes the apprenticeship model of teaching and learning where students are connected to a qualified master art teacher who instructs them in a particular discipline. An ijaazah process is followed which entails completing a set curriculum under the guidance of a master art teacher which leads to certification once the art and discipline have been mastered.
To revive, promote and preserve traditional Islamic sacred arts as it is essential to rejuvenate the hearts and souls of Muslims, as well as connect them to their Islamic culture and identity.
To foster intimate, long-term relationships between students and teachers that can benefit for years; as well as to build student-to-student relationships as a form of support and motivation.
To provide a platform and space to learn traditional Islamic sacred arts as a means of empowerment in the South African communities.
Drawing from the meaning of the term “Deen” in the Islamic context, we aim to bridge the lack of opportunities to understand Islamic Arts from aesthetic and philosophical perspectives based in Revelation and Divine Unity. Through our classes in Islamic calligraphy, manuscript illumination, and geometric patterns, students can study under master artists, mirroring the traditional apprenticeship methodology codified in the Ijazah process. We also provide opportunities for Islamic art appreciation, resources, exhibitions, and tours to further engage individuals in the Islamic Arts. Our community is open to a diverse global audience of all cultural backgrounds, faiths, and geographical locations.
Zulfar Tofie Samodien, from Cape Town, South Africa, is a student of the world-renowned Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen from China. In March 2023, she became one of the first South African graduates to receive an ijazah certificate in Arabic calligraphy in the Chinese style script.
In addition to her studies in Arabic-Chinese calligraphy, Zulfar is also learning Ottoman scripts and serves as the class facilitator for Master Haji Noor Deen at the Deen Arts Foundation. Beyond her passion for Islamic calligraphy, she has pursued Islamic studies and is a graduate of the Darun Na’im Institute of Higher Islamic Learning in South Africa.
Zulfar is dedicated to preserving and promoting Islamic calligraphy. She continues to refine her skills while supporting the next generation of students in their artistic and spiritual journeys.
Fatima Mahomed, from Cape Town, South Africa, is a student of Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen from China, specializing in Arabic calligraphy in the Chinese style. She is also studying the Maghrebi script under Ustaadh Badr from Morocco.
In July 2022, she attended the Summer Intensive for Islamic Geometry Patterns under the guidance of the highly skilled Dr. Sonmez. Additionally, she has been studying Tezhip (Islamic illumination) with Ustaadah Fatma Ulusoy Sirajuddin from Istanbul.
Fatima’s passion for the Islamic Sacred Arts was sparked by her travels to Morocco and Turkey a few years ago. Her calligraphy journey began as a student of Ustaadh Nazmie Paulsen, who trained in Egypt under Master Shaykh Belaid Hamidi.
Widad Sirkhotte, originally from the Eastern Cape, is a course and curriculum design specialist currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Since 2019, she has been studying Quranic calligraphy under the esteemed Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang, as well as learning the Maghrebi script with Moroccan Islamic calligrapher Badr Essaihi.
Her PhD research explores students’ learning experiences in online Islamic calligraphy.
Dr. Intisar Etbaigha, originally from Libya, is an expert in Arabic and English languages with a deep passion for language teaching and translation. She obtained her university degree in English from Al-Tahadi University and later earned a Master’s degree in Translation Studies (Arabic-English/English-Arabic) from the Libyan Academy in 2006. In 2013, she moved to South Africa to pursue her PhD at the University of the Western Cape, specializing in additional language teaching and learning. She successfully completed her doctorate (PhD) in 2018, further solidifying her expertise in language education.
Dr. Etbaigha believes that Islamic teachings and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) should inform one’s teaching philosophy. She emphasises that studying Islam is not a one-time endeavor but a lifelong journey of bridging knowledge gaps through a deeper understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. At Deen Arts Foundation South Africa, she leads the development and implementation of Arabic language courses and provides Arabic translations where needed. Her work reflects her commitment to fostering meaningful language learning experiences and bridging cultures through education.
Shaykh Ismail Londt is a highly accomplished Islamic scholar and Quranic expert who has dedicated his life to the study and teaching of the noble Quran. He began his journey at a young age and by the age of 13, he had memorized the entire Holy Quran. He engaged in Arabic and Islamic studies in Newcastle and furthered his studies in Egypt, obtaining several traditional certifications and narrative chains in Tajwid, Qiraat, and Quranic studies. Apart from his extensive Quranic knowledge, Shaykh Ismail is also pursuing studies at the University of South Africa. He actively translates and compiles texts related to the Holy Quran, contributing to the understanding and dissemination of Islamic teachings. In addition to his academic pursuits, Shaykh Ismail holds various influential positions within the South African Muslim community. He serves as the director of the DU Centre, where he focuses on holistic development from a Quranic perspective. He lectures at various institutions and is currently the Head of the Department of Quranic Affairs under the Muslim Judicial Council. Furthermore, Shaykh Ismail serves as the Imam of the Auwal Masjid, which is the first established masjid in South Africa. Additionally, he actively contributes to the Deen Arts Foundation South Africa organisation, playing a crucial role in promoting and preserving Quranic arts.
Zulfar Tofie Samodien, from Cape Town, South Africa, is a student of the world-renowned Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen from China. In March 2023, she became one of the first South African graduates to receive an ijazah certificate in Arabic calligraphy in the Chinese style script.
In addition to her studies in Arabic-Chinese calligraphy, Zulfar is also learning Ottoman scripts and serves as the class facilitator for Master Haji Noor Deen at the Deen Arts Foundation. Beyond her passion for Islamic calligraphy, she has pursued Islamic studies and is a graduate of the Darun Na’im Institute of Higher Islamic Learning in South Africa.
Zulfar is dedicated to preserving and promoting Islamic calligraphy. She continues to refine her skills while supporting the next generation of students in their artistic and spiritual journeys.
Fatima Mahomed, from Cape Town, South Africa, is a student of Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen from China, specializing in Arabic calligraphy in the Chinese style. She is also studying the Maghrebi script under Ustaadh Badr from Morocco.
In July 2022, she attended the Summer Intensive for Islamic Geometry Patterns under the guidance of the highly skilled Dr. Sonmez. Additionally, she has been studying Tezhip (Islamic illumination) with Ustaadah Fatma Ulusoy Sirajuddin from Istanbul.
Fatima’s passion for the Islamic Sacred Arts was sparked by her travels to Morocco and Turkey a few years ago. Her calligraphy journey began as a student of Ustaadh Nazmie Paulsen, who trained in Egypt under Master Shaykh Belaid Hamidi.
Widad Sirkhotte, originally from the Eastern Cape, is a course and curriculum design specialist currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Since 2019, she has been studying Quranic calligraphy under the esteemed Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang, as well as learning the Maghrebi script with Moroccan Islamic calligrapher Badr Essaihi.
Her PhD research explores students’ learning experiences in online Islamic calligraphy.
Shaykh Ismail Londt is a highly accomplished Islamic scholar and Quranic expert who has dedicated his life to the study and teaching of the noble Quran. He began his journey at a young age and by the age of 13, he had memorized the entire Holy Quran. He engaged in Arabic and Islamic studies in Newcastle and furthered his studies in Egypt, obtaining several traditional certifications and narrative chains in Tajwid, Qiraat, and Quranic studies. Apart from his extensive Quranic knowledge, Shaykh Ismail is also pursuing studies at the University of South Africa. He actively translates and compiles texts related to the Holy Quran, contributing to the understanding and dissemination of Islamic teachings. In addition to his academic pursuits, Shaykh Ismail holds various influential positions within the South African Muslim community. He serves as the director of the DU Centre, where he focuses on holistic development from a Quranic perspective. He lectures at various institutions and is currently the Head of the Department of Quranic Affairs under the Muslim Judicial Council. Furthermore, Shaykh Ismail serves as the Imam of the Auwal Masjid, which is the first established masjid in South Africa. Additionally, he actively contributes to the Deen Arts Foundation South Africa organisation, playing a crucial role in promoting and preserving Quranic arts.
Widad Sirkhotte, originally from the Eastern Cape, is a course and curriculum design specialist currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Since 2019, she has been studying Quranic calligraphy under the esteemed Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang, as well as learning the Maghrebi script with Moroccan Islamic calligrapher Badr Essaihi.
Her PhD research explores students’ learning experiences in online Islamic calligraphy.
Shaykh Ismail Londt is a highly accomplished Islamic scholar and Quranic expert who has dedicated his life to the study and teaching of the noble Quran. He began his journey at a young age and by the age of 13, he had memorized the entire Holy Quran. He engaged in Arabic and Islamic studies in Newcastle and furthered his studies in Egypt, obtaining several traditional certifications and narrative chains in Tajwid, Qiraat, and Quranic studies. Apart from his extensive Quranic knowledge, Shaykh Ismail is also pursuing studies at the University of South Africa. He actively translates and compiles texts related to the Holy Quran, contributing to the understanding and dissemination of Islamic teachings. In addition to his academic pursuits, Shaykh Ismail holds various influential positions within the South African Muslim community. He serves as the director of the DU Centre, where he focuses on holistic development from a Quranic perspective. He lectures at various institutions and is currently the Head of the Department of Quranic Affairs under the Muslim Judicial Council. Furthermore, Shaykh Ismail serves as the Imam of the Auwal Masjid, which is the first established masjid in South Africa. Additionally, he actively contributes to the Deen Arts Foundation South Africa organisation, playing a crucial role in promoting and preserving Quranic arts.
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