RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture has issued a new stamp to raise awareness of Arabic calligraphy and encourage pride in Arab identity and culture. The campaign was completed in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Directorate General of Passports. The special stamp, bearing the words “Year of Arabic Calligraphy,” will be affixed on the passports of passengers arriving in the Kingdom through the airports of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam as of Friday. It will be also translated into English for non-Arabic visitors. It seeks aims to highlight Arabic calligraphy as a stand-alone art that reflects the richness of the Arabic language and its written aesthetics. Other initiatives include renaming the Madinah-based Dar Al-Qalam Center to the “Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy” and transforming it into a global hub for calligraphy. The Ministry of Culture also announced the launch of the first electronic platform to teach Arabic calligraphy and Islamic decoration, titled “Al-Khattat Platform” (Calligrapher Platform). It also launched an initiative, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports, to Arabize player names on team jerseys during sporting competitions. The Ministry of Culture announced that it will extend the “Year of Arabic Calligraphy” campaign into 2021.