About Najm AL-Tameemi
Biography
Najm Al-Tameemi is an Iraqi-Canadian Arabic calligrapher, artist, and educator with more than 35 years of experience in Arabic calligraphy.
His artistic journey began in Iraq, where he studied and practiced traditional Arabic scripts and developed extensive experience in calligraphic composition and commissioned artwork. Over the years, he has worked with a variety of classical scripts, including Ruq’ah, Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani, and Kufic.
After moving to Canada, Najm continued his commitment to preserving and teaching Arabic calligraphy while introducing this important art form to students and audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Teaching Arabic Calligraphy in Canada
Najm has developed a practical approach to teaching Arabic calligraphy that makes the fundamentals of the art accessible to students of different ages and levels of experience.
His teaching emphasizes proper use and preparation of the traditional reed pen (qalam), understanding letter proportions and structure, developing precision and patience, and appreciating Arabic calligraphy as both an artistic practice and an important part of Arab and Islamic cultural heritage.
Since establishing himself in Canada, Najm has participated in educational and cultural activities involving universities, schools, community organizations, Islamic institutions, seniors, youth, and arts organizations.
For Najm, Arabic calligraphy is more than beautiful writing. It is a living cultural tradition that connects language, art, history, identity, and generations.
Through his teaching and artistic work, he seeks both to preserve the traditional principles of Arabic calligraphy and to create opportunities for people from different cultural backgrounds to experience and appreciate the art.
Today, he continues to teach, create original works, participate in cultural initiatives, and promote Arabic
calligraphy in Canada and internationally.
Arabic Calligraphy School
Through Arabic Calligraphy School, Najm aims to make structured Arabic calligraphy education accessible to
children, adults, educators, community organizations, and anyone interested in discovering this
centuries-old artistic tradition.
His long-term goal is to contribute to preserving Arabic calligraphy for future generations while building
bridges between cultures through art and educa
Artistic Journey
Najm Al-Tameemi’s journey with Arabic calligraphy spans more than three decades, shaped by continuous practice, study, and a deep appreciation for the traditions of this centuries-old art.
His journey began in Iraq, where Arabic calligraphy was part of the cultural and artistic environment that inspired his early interest in the beauty, structure, and discipline of Arabic script. Over the years, he developed his skills across several classical styles, including Ruq’ah, Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani, and Kufic, while continuing to explore calligraphic composition as a form of artistic expression.
In 2014, while living in Syria, Najm began teaching Arabic calligraphy, marking an important transition in his journey from practising the art to sharing it with others.
After settling in Canada, his artistic journey entered a new chapter. He continued practising and teaching Arabic calligraphy while introducing this traditional art form to students and communities from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
His work in Canada reflects a broader purpose: to preserve the traditions of Arabic calligraphy while creating new opportunities for it to be learned, appreciated, and shared across cultures and generations.
Today, through his artwork, teaching, workshops, exhibitions, and the Arabic Calligraphy School, Najm continues to build a bridge between the rich heritage of Arabic calligraphy and the multicultural communities of contemporary Canada.
Teaching & Educational Impact
Educational Contributions
Najm is dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of Arabic calligraphy through education. He regularly conducts workshops at universities and cultural institutions across Canada.
Over the years, Najm Al-Tameemi has introduced more than 400 students and participants of different ages and backgrounds to the art of Arabic calligraphy. Remarkably, approximately 70% of the learners who have participated in his programs have been non-Arabic speakers, demonstrating the ability of Arabic calligraphy to transcend language and connect with diverse audiences.
Teaching Methodology
Najm’s teaching method is gradual, practical and accessible, combining traditional principles with hands-on learning. Students are encouraged not only to reproduce letterforms, but to understand proportion, rhythm, structure and artistic composition.
Some have progressed from learning the fundamentals to creating their own calligraphic artworks and developing beautiful compositions, particularly in Kufic and Naskh scripts.
"For Najm, the success of teaching is not measured simply by how many people attend a calligraphy workshop, but by the moment a learner becomes confident enough to transform what they have learned into an artwork of their own."