Maghrebi script

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Maghrebi script from 13th century northern African Qur'an
Maghrebi script from 13th century northern African Qur'an

Maghrebi (or Maghribi) script is a cursive form of the Arabic alphabet influenced by Kufic letters that developed in the Maghreb (Morocco) and later in Spain, particularly Andalusia. The Maghribi script can be divided in five other sub/scripts:

1-The Kufic Maghrebi (the forerunner) see e.g. inscription on Bab Agnaou in Marrakesh.

example from al-Andalus: ablutions basin with maghrebi kufic inscription, from 988, Umayyad [1] (click on the image to enlarge)

2-Mabsout script, used to write the quran.

3-Mojawher script, mainly used by the king to announce laws.

4-Thuluth Maghrebi script.

5-Mosnad script mainly used by courts and notairs in writing marriage contracts.

surah el baqarah in middle eastern and Maghrebi cursive
surah el baqarah in middle eastern and Maghrebi cursive

[edit] References

  • O. Houdas, Essai sur l'écriture maghrebine: in: Nouveaux mélanges orientaux., IIe série vol. xix., Publications des Langues Vivantes Orientales (Paris 1886)
  • N. van den Boogert, on the origen of Maghribi script

http://www.islamicmanuscripts.info/reference/articles/boogert_notes_maghribi_script.PDF

[edit] External links