Mohamed Abu Zaid

Calligrapher and Visual Artist

Mohamed Abu Zaid occupies a distinguished place in the contemporary Moroccan calligraphic scene. His work is closely associated with the study, revival, and refinement of the Moroccan Kufic script, with particular emphasis on the Almoravid tradition. His practice bridges historical research and artistic expression, presenting the script not only as a means of writing, but as an architectural system of rhythm, proportion, and visual harmony.

Education and Professional Practice

Abu Zaid serves as an instructor of drawing and ornamentation at the Institute of Traditional Crafts and Arts in Fez. Alongside his academic role, he maintains an active studio practice focused on calligraphy and decorative design, and has developed extensive expertise in the restoration of historical inscriptions and architectural writings. His work in this field contributes directly to the preservation and documentation of Morocco’s calligraphic heritage.

Artistic Focus

esearch and artistic production explore the geometry and structure of Moroccan Kufic script, treating the letterform as a visual unit shaped by spatial logic and historical evolution. Through sustained study of original Almoravid and Marinid inscriptions—especially those within the dome of the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque—he has produced a systematic analysis of letterforms that has become a reference for artists and scholars.

Publications

Abu Zaid is the author of Principles of Moroccan Kufic Script, a foundational work providing a comprehensive study of the script’s forms and aesthetic principles. The book has played a significant role in shaping current approaches to the teaching and practice of Moroccan Kufic calligraphy.

Exhibitions and Presence

His works have been presented in exhibitions and artistic forums within Morocco and internationally, where they have been recognized for their clarity of line, sensitivity to proportion, and ability to translate historical forms into a contemporary visual language.

Abu Zaid’s work has laid the foundation for a new artistic school in Moroccan Kufic calligraphy, inspiring many calligraphers to develop and refine their craft.