Muhammed Hobe

Muhammed Hobe is a South African calligrapher devoted to the classical art of Islamic calligraphy. Before dedicating himself fully to the art of hat, he taught religious education and Qur’an lessons to new Muslims at an Islamic Institute in South Africa.

His interest in calligraphy began during his years of Qur’an memorisation, when a teacher noticed the beauty of his handwriting and encouraged him to practise with reed pen and ink. With no formal school of Islamic calligraphy available to him in South Africa, Hobe’s early learning came through patience, imitation, and deep personal dedication.

In 2009, he travelled to Türkiye to study under the renowned master calligrapher Hasan Çelebi, one of the most respected figures in the living Ottoman calligraphic tradition. What began as a short period of study became a much deeper calling. Hobe eventually left his life and work in South Africa and settled in Türkiye to continue his training.

Under Hasan Çelebi’s guidance, Hobe received his ijazah after three years of study and worked especially in the Naskh and Thuluth scripts. He has described his teacher as a fatherly figure, someone who encouraged him with warmth, discipline, and care.

For Hobe, calligraphy is not only an art form, but a spiritual discipline. He speaks of the peace he feels while writing, the patience required to improve, and the lifelong devotion needed to become a true calligrapher. His dream is to return to Africa and teach this sacred art to Muslim students, helping Islamic calligraphy take root where formal access to the tradition has been limited.

His story is one of sacrifice, humility, and love for the written word. Through his work, Muhammed Hobe carries forward a centuries-old tradition while opening a path for a new generation of African calligraphers.