From Karachi to Madinah: Shafiq-uz-Zaman's journey to restore calligraphy in Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH)

Shafiq-uz-Zaman, a renowned calligrapher and painter from Karachi, has spent the last 35 years restoring and creating stunning calligraphy in Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH).

According to Zaman, his journey began with a chance encounter with an Arab Sheikh in the early 1990s.

"I was working on a hoarding board when an Arab Sheikh passed by and invited me to come to Saudi Arabia," Shafiq-uz-Zaman recalled while talking to BBC News Urdu.

"It was God's will that I was selected for this work after a competition among 400 calligraphers from around the world."

Zaman's work in the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) mosque has been a labour of love, with each piece taking months to complete.

"It takes me a maximum of six months and a minimum of three months to produce each piece of art," he explained. 

"After many hours of hard work, only one or two metres of calligraphy may be possible."

The artist's work has been instrumental in preserving the historic calligraphy in the mosque, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire. 

"I have been doing this work of calligraphy in Masjid-e-Nabawi for the last 35 years," he said. 

"There was a time when I used to sit in Karachi and think and wish that a copy of my calligraphy work would be installed in Masjid-e-Nabawi, and a time had come that in the entire Masjid-e-Nabawi, I am the one doing the calligraphy."

Shafiq-uz-Zaman's dedication to his craft has earned him recognition and respect, with his work considered a testament to his skill and devotion. 

"This good fortune was to come to me and Pakistan," he said humbly.