IRCICA organizes international calligraphy competitions every three years since 1986. The Ninth International Calligraphy Competition was announced in 2012 and finalized in 2013. Keeping with its tradition of dedicating each competition to an eminent figure of this art, IRCICA organized the ninth one in the name of Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, Secretary General (outgoing) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and patron of the art of calligraphy. This has been an expression of gratitude for the seminal contributions İhsanoğlu has made over decades to revive interest in the art of calligraphy around the world, encourage observance of its classical rules and principles and help foster education in this field.
The results of the ninth competition were declared at a ceremony held at IRCICA on 30 April 2013. 672 calligraphers from 39 countries participated in the Ninth Competition with a total of 900 works in the 10 categories of writing styles; 28 prizes, 26 mentions and 23 incentive prizes were distributed to calligraphers from 23 countries. This catalogue includes reproductions of the works which won awards in the different categories of styles and information on the winner calligraphers.
