DUSHANBE, October 15, 2008, Asia-Plus – A new course in Persian Nastaliq calligraphy is underway in the premise of Iran''s Cultural Office in Tajikistan, Iran''s Cultural Attaché in Dushanbe Qahraman Soleimani told IRNA.

A total of Tajik students are participating in the three-month course who will receive certificates upon its completion.

Commenting on the issue, Soleimani said that calligraphy is one of the highest Islamic arts.

"In fact calligraphy alone is a complete art with a genuine Islamic and Iranian identity," he said, noting that the art is one of the few which in addition to its inherent capabilities, has employed other arts such as painting, illumination and miniature.

He further said that the art is rooted in ancient times and valuable collections of the art, which are on display in different museums worldwide, are the outcome of the efforts of the Iranians and Tajik ancestors.

Despite remarkable progress in the fields of publishing and typesetting, calligraphy has retained its identity, he maintained.

The art is linked to the clean spirit and sincerity of the artist and sacredness and spirituality are among its characteristics, Soleimani noted.

The educational course will serve as the first step to make the Tajikis familiar with the art, Soleimani said, adding that Iran''s Cultural Office has sought cooperation of Iran''s Calligraphers Association to promote the art in Tajikistan.