Muscat – Oman bid farewell on Monday to Sheikh Hilal bin Salim al Rawahi, a prominent calligrapher and writer of Royal letters for the Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Sheikh Rawahi was an acclaimed calligrapher who served Sultan Qaboos and the sultanate for more than four decades. His remarkable inscriptions adorn some of the most important buildings in the country. Most importantly, the beauty of his craft has inspired the younger generation to rediscover the ancient art and tradition of calligraphy.

In 1991, Sultan Qaboos conferred the Order of Honour, Third Class, on Sheikh Rawahi in appreciation of his services.

His admirers posted heartfelt condolences and messages on social media condoling his death, which has left a void in the developing field of calligraphy in the sultanate.

They prayed to God to show his mercy and benevolence on Sheikh Rawahi’s soul and to give solace and comfort to his family and relatives.

Born in 1925 in Zanzibar, where he was raised, Sheikh Rawahi began working as a calligrapher in the Diwan of Zanzibar, then as a calligrapher with Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman al Khalifa in Bahrain, and finally as a calligrapher in the Diwan of Royal Court.

Nutella al Rawahi tweeted, “God bless you, my beloved grandfather. You have had a great impact on our souls with your morals and important lessons in your calligraphy that you drew. In every calligraphy I find an exhortation and a lesson, for you were designing and selecting words and shapes to deliver a lofty message. Oh God, make his work an ongoing charity until the Day of Judgment.”

Also on Twitter, Mohammed bin Nasser al Mandhari said, “Oman has lost a great scholar of Arabic calligraphy. Our deep condolences to the bereaved family. Thoughts and prayers on the passing of Oman’s leading calligrapher.”

Another twitterati Ahmed al Harthi said, “God have mercy on Sheikh Rawahi, forgive him and settle him in the expanse of your gardens. And give his family and relatives patience.”

Maryam al Rawahi tweeted, “Oman bids farewell to Sheikh Rawahi after a life full of giving. May God have mercy on him.”