Ministry of Culture Launches “AlKhatt AlAwal” and “AlKhatt AlSaudy” Fonts, Enhances Their Digital Applications

The Ministry of Culture announced today the release of the first font and the Saudi font, both of which represent the cultural identity of the Kingdom. These fonts were developed and numbered based on authentic sources in Arab culture, such as inscriptions and Qurans, with a design that reflects the beauty of Arabic calligraphy, for which the Kingdom is a historic incubator.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Minister of Culture, highlighted that the launch of these fonts is a tribute to the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Kingdom. He stated that both fonts bridge the gap between the past and present by integrating traditional elements with contemporary design principles. This harmonious blend honors the Kingdom’s heritage while inspiring innovation.

The design directions for the first font capture the spirit of ancient inscriptions in the Arabian Peninsula from the 1st Hijri century. Attention was paid to the clarity of the font, artistic symbols, and adherence to the dry style, mimicking the original drawing in the inscriptions. The Saudi font, on the other hand, was inspired by the identity and culture of the Kingdom, incorporating the writing rules and artistic principles used in the first font in a contemporary way, reflecting the cultural renaissance under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Local and international experts, part of the researchers involved in the project, contributed to the execution of the first font and the Saudi font. This was supported by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, the King Abdulaziz Foundation, and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy. The project followed a rigorous scientific methodology consisting of five stages, including research, analysis, development of initial models, redrawing the font, establishing writing rules, developing aesthetic rules, letter ratios, and developing applications and font techniques, leading to the creation of various outputs.

Arabic calligraphy originated in the Arabian Peninsula, the cradle of ancient civilizations and home to historical scripts and inscriptions. The script has evolved through various stages, influenced by cultural and political situations in the Arab region. With the spread of Arabs during the Islamic expansion, diverse writing styles and methods emerged, prompting the Ministry of Culture to launch two new fonts, the first font and the Saudi font, reflecting the historical depth of Saudi Arabia as the cradle of ancient human civilizations.

The Ministry of Culture’s launch of the first font and the Saudi font stems from its belief in the importance of Arabic calligraphy and its role in shaping the national cultural identity. The fonts serve as creative artistic vessels embodying Arab culture throughout its long history. The project aims to enhance the presence of Arabic calligraphy in its original identity in contemporary applications, in line with the objectives of the National Cultural Strategy and the Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in the aspects related to Arabic language care and the development of Saudi contributions to culture and arts.