Faheem Jackson, born in 1982 in Cape Town, South Africa, is an Arabic calligrapher and contemporary painter based in Cape Town. He began studying Arabic calligraphy in 2002, focusing on Ruq’ah and Diwani scripts under Ustadh Adham Fadi Ja’fari at Abu Nour University in Damascus. Over the years, he has expanded his expertise to include Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani Jali, Nasta’liq, Kufic, and other styles under distinguished teachers such as Dr. Sulaiman Nordien and Ustadh Shahryanshah Sirajuddin. In 2022, he received an Ijazah from Ustadh Shahryanshah through the Deen Arts Foundation (USA branch) in Istanbul, formally linking his practice to centuries-old Islamic calligraphic traditions. Jackson is the founder of the Arabic Calligraphy Association of South Africa (ACASA) and has taught calligraphy extensively at various institutions both locally, nationally, and online.

Jackson’s work combines classical Arabic scripts with South African heritage, notably through his development of the Janubi script. Influenced by early Arabic and Jawi manuscripts from the Cape and the legacy of scholars such as Sh Yusuf Al-Makassari, Tuan Guru Imam Abdullah, and Imam Rajab (may Allah be pleased with them), his art honors the resilience and cultural contributions of Cape Muslims under Dutch colonial rule. He works with inks and acrylic paints, bamboo reed pens, and custom-prepared surfaces, such as primed boards and burnished traditional Ahar and acid free art papers, often sealed with wax for preservation. His pieces emphasize the clarity of script and geometrical structure, blending historical inspiration with innovative techniques to convey the enduring messages of the Quran and Islamic heritage.

Jackson’s work has been featured in exhibitions such as the SAFIA showcase at the Castle of Good Hope, the Cape Town Art Fair, the Mashura Arts Exhibition at Greatmore Studios, and the Tulis Exhibition at OCTH in Woodstock. He curated the ACASA “Seas of Ink” exhibition and has participated in both national and international events, earning recognition for his artistry. His work is included in private and institutional collections locally and internationally across Bosnia, Malaysia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Wales, solidifying his contributions to the global Islamic art tradition.