Nearly a hundred calligraphy works by various artists have been displayed at an exhibition in Herat.

The organizers of the exhibition said that its purpose is to introduce authentic Afghan scripts and to foster the growth of art in Afghanistan.

"The goal of holding this exhibition is to introduce the calligraphy works of artists and masters to the global community and the people, to motivate artists, and enable them to work more for the advancement of art," said Jalil Ahmad Tawana, the head of the Herat Calligraphers Association.

Verses of the Holy Quran, adorned with various beautiful scripts and embellishments, are among the works that catch every passerby's eye at the exhibition.

Some Herat calligraphers said that for the further development of calligraphy art and the introduction of authentic Afghan scripts to the world, government support is needed.

"I must remind that not much support has been given to the art of calligraphy. This exhibition has been organized entirely with materials and tools prepared by the calligraphers themselves," said Bismillah Soroori, a calligrapher.

"Artists, especially calligraphers, have not received the support they should have. My request from the government is to provide more support to artists," said Ali Mohammad Saboori, another calligrapher.

According to the calligraphers, nearly ten types of scripts, including Nastaliq, Broken Nastaliq, and Naskh, have been used in their calligraphy works.

A number of cultural activists in Herat believe that the calligraphers have productive calligraphy works that can represent Afghan art on an international level.

"Each piece you see represents the future potential of artists who have endeavored in this field and have managed to pass down this art as a divine trust from generation to generation and finger to finger up to today," said Wali Shah Bahra, a cultural activist.

Local authorities in Herat said that the government supports the art of calligraphy.

"A while ago, we invited all the calligraphers to the Ministry of Information and Culture for a meeting and consultation. We are fully supportive of these artists and collaborate with them," said Hayatullah Mohajir Farahi, the Acting Deputy Governor of Herat.

"The plan of the Ministry of Information and Culture of the Islamic Emirate and its provincial directorates is to support artists and be their backers," said Hamidullah Gheyasi, the Director of Art and Culture at the Herat Information and Culture Directorate.

Herat province is the birthplace of many scripts such as Nastaliq, Broken Nastaliq, Naskh, and Kufic, which flourished more during the golden age of the Timurids and have survived to this day.