Surprising Bedfellows: Ancient Calligraphy manuscripts draw in crowds through modern day boxing.

Bringing two very different, and at first glance almost opposite, disciplines together.

Currently, Bradford, a city in the North of England, is offering a series of unique events as it has been crowned Britain’s City of Culture for 2025. As part of the year long festival, there is a pioneering exhibition at the Cartwright Hall Museum and Art Gallery. It bears the very intriguing title of Fighting to be Heard. Many years ago, when still at school, Dad took me to the British Library to see some of the remarkable exhibits there. Little did I know at the time that I would be visiting the august institution again many years later – only this time I would be behind the glass and helping decide which precious historic manuscripts would be travelling North.

Last year, I travelled to London with a group of Bradfordian boxers and trainers. Also in our entourage was a Museum Curator, a World Champion Boxer and a Calligrapher (who also doubles up as a Dad). Whilst not a Master Calligrapher myself, I have been asked to lead sessions on Arabic calligraphy for the NHS, and whilst no Boxing Champion, I have also undertaken boxing training. So I have experienced both disciplines. You can read our old interview with Super Flyweight World Champion boxer Tasif Khan here.

With the Champ at the boxing gym, the Calligrapher, Nisar the trainer and the British Library Curator

Whilst we were in London the Curator of Arabic Documents of the British Library, the wonderful Daniel Lowe, allowed us access to a treasury of ancient and modern Arabic texts. We must have picked them well as I hear attendance at the Museum has been up by well over hundred percent: and many have said how they have really connected with an ancient Qur’an dating back to the ninth century. Others have been taken aback by the presence at the exhibition of Mirza Ghalib’s own handwriting. Yet others have spoken about the wide variety of examples from different parts of the Muslim world including, Turkish, Indian, Persian and Chinese examples.

The opening of the exhibition was quite grand and wonderful. After tucking into a banquet of savouries, the guests were brought into a large hall. Here, a short presentation was given by the Curator, the Calligrapher and the Boxer to demonstrate what this project was all about and what it meant from them from their individual perspectives. A video was also shown which showcased the behind the scenes of the project and the key events that led up to the exhibition.

The Panel Discussion was very enjoyable (and worth getting out of bed for) Image: Rais Hassan

The next stage of the exhibition involved a panel discussion which I was a part of, and then an official “door opening” of the exhibition to the public. The panel discussion was a place where I could voice my perspective of the project. It also allowed me to discuss what I felt were important parts of the project: Bringing people from different walks of life together. Showing the beautiful combination of art and sport and the heritage through the pieces and manuscripts that everyone from Bradford and beyond deserves to experience.

When the doors of the exhibition opened it was a sight to behold. Swarms of people entered, captivated by the pieces that were displayed. I asked some of the audience how they found the panel and the exhibition itself. The general feel was that the panel discussion was quite riveting. Everyone who I spoke with had different pieces they felt were quite special to them. However, almost all picked the 9th century Qur’an manuscript as their favourite which was displayed right towards the entrance of the exhibition basking in its own unique magnificence.

Some of my friends have really enjoyed the exhibition. My own personal favourites include the 9th century Qur’an along with Hajji Noor Deen’s work. His flowy brushwork Chinese style along with the Arabic words has made something rather unique and interesting. Though having two completely different elements, his work had this harmony. I felt this mirrored our project of Boxing and Calligraphy, although two quite different forms, both require composure and unity. My friends thought the concept of mixing sports with art was very intriguing. They also were very shocked that very valuable old manuscripts from the British Library were on display in their city.

In the Zone (c) Razwan Ul-Haq 2024

With the exhibition going into it’s fourth and final month, I think it has been a success. The attendance rates for Cartwright Hall have been rocketing ever since the beginning of this project. I think what draws people into the exhibition are a number of things. Firstly, it is the art pieces and manuscripts themselves that invite people to see them. Especially considering the breadth and variety of all the pieces raging from the modern to over a thousand years ago. The heritage of the manuscripts from the Middle East and Asia is particularly important to many Muslims. Just to look at some of the ancient poetry and religious texts means a lot for them. But let's not forget that this is not only Muslim heritage, but everyone’s heritage. In the official opening for the public, most people who came were not Muslim, showing the impact of art and the chronicles of history – it is heritage for everybody. Finally, what also I feel draws people in is the uniqueness of the project. People see Calligraphy and Boxing together and are naturally surprised. This entices them to actually have a look and think about the similarities of the two. I hope it makes them think about other similarities that we all have in common.

The exhibition will run until 27 April as part of Bradford’s City of Culture 2025 programme.