Aisha Imam will share her journey as a student of Arabic calligraphy (Ottoman school) under the guidance of Mohamed Zakariya, who played a pivotal role in introducing and elevating the art form in the United States. Today Zakariya's art pieces are housed in institutions such the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and The Walters in Baltimore. Aisha Imam will share a brief history of calligraphy, the unique characteristics of artistic transmission and the significant role that sacred arts and music has on building and strengthening community. Guests will have an opportunity to view original works and try their own hand in Arabic calligraphy with reed pens.
Aisha Imam is the founder and director of Reed Society for the Sacred Arts, a 501c3 organization that promotes sacred art and music. Under her direction, Reed Society curated a calligraphy exhibition featuring Mohamed Zakariya and his students in 2022. She has served on the Islamic Art Advisory Committee at The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, collaborated with The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and numerous universities and other nonprofits across the United States to promote Islamic art and music. She is also an aspiring calligrapher, working under the guidance of Mohamed Zakariya for over a decade.
August 01, 2025