Stringer..............Bhat Shahzad Location............ Bandipora 1908ZS_BPR_CALIGRAPHY_R Mustafa Ibn Jameel: From a Refugee Hamlet to Global Recognition Through Calligraphy Anchor:-In the quiet corners of Refugee 1, a remote hamlet in Bandipora district of north Kashmir where opportunities are scarce and basic amenities remain a distant dream, a young artist is rewriting history with ink and devotion. Mustafa Ibn Jameel, a 28-year-old calligrapher, has not only mastered the art of Islamic calligraphy but also earned a place in the Lincoln Book of World Records — a feat that embodies resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. Mustafa’s most ambitious undertaking is the “Al-Muwatta Series,” inspired by Imam Malik’s renowned jurisprudential text, Al-Muwatta. This monumental work spans 1.3 kilometers of intricate calligraphy. Its first completed section, based on the narration of Ibn Qasim, is a testament to painstaking precision, spiritual reverence, and intellectual depth. “This is not about world records alone,” Mustafa says. “It is about presenting our identity and struggles before the world. We may belong to a neglected village, but we are still part of the 2.1 billion-strong Muslim Ummah. Our culture, despite being scattered by poverty and lack of resources, is alive, breathing, and worth remembering.” His journey has been marked by hardship. Mustafa lost his father at a young age, and the lack of educational facilities in his village posed a serious challenge. Instead of surrendering to those limitations, he opened the doors of his own home to local children, turning it into an informal school to give the next generation a chance at a better future. But Mustafa is more than a calligrapher. He is also a humanitarian voice for the displaced and marginalized. Through his art, he draws attention to issues often ignored by mainstream narratives. “I have seen deprivation up close,” he reflects. “That is why my art is not just art — it is service, it is silent protest, it is the preservation of values we are losing.” Coming from a tribal community that he describes as “dispersed due to lack of resources,” Mustafa chose not to remain silent. Instead, he wields the pen as a means of cultural preservation. “We want the world to know that we still exist, that we share a collective memory, a common culture. Our goal is to leave behind a mark in history that will last until eternity,” he says. In a time when the voices of marginalized groups are often stifled, Mustafa Ibn Jameel stands as a beacon of hope. His journey demonstrates that sincerity and sacrifice can turn art into a powerful bridge across boundaries. By giving Islamic calligraphy fresh meaning, he is inspiring a new generation of artists and activists — proving that greatness can emerge even from the most forgotten corners of the world. Byte By Mustafa Ibn Jameel Calligrapher