Choosing an official gift in Arabic calligraphy — a guide for gifting officers

Last updated 9 October 2026.

This page is for the person who chooses a gift on behalf of a government body or an authority: what to write, what to leave out, and what size fits the person receiving it. It is our practice as a calligraphy workshop, not a regulation: your entity's own protocol office has the last word.

1. The words

  • Words of welcome and of the occasion suit every piece: «حياكم الله», «أهلًا وسهلًا», «عيد الاتحاد», the recipient's name, or a line of Arabic poetry about the land, the sea or generosity.
  • A verse of the Quran, a hadith, God's names or the basmala are chosen with adab: on a framed calligraphy paint that hangs on a wall, never on anything that holds food, is set down on a table or the floor, or is thrown away once worn — trays, dates boxes, napkin holders, mugs. On those pieces, use a greeting or a proverb.
  • The spelling and the vowel marks are shown in the proof and confirmed in writing before anything is cut or printed.

2. The symbols

  • Motifs of national identity that are not official symbols: the seven stars of the Union, the national colours as the colours of the piece, the shapes of the dallah and the palm, arabesque and geometric patterns.
  • Not reproduced: the federal emblem and the flag as a cut or printed design — official symbols are protected. Your entity's own logo is cut or engraved from your vector file (SVG, AI, EPS or PDF), with your written approval of the proof.
  • No figures of people or animals in the design: calligraphy, pattern and the motifs above carry the piece.

3. The size, by the person receiving it

  • The head of the entity, a visiting minister or the head of a delegation: a framed calligraphy paint, A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) or larger, of a line of poetry or a greeting; or a large dates box (24 × 24 cm) with the entity's name cut into the lid, with a serving tray.
  • Directors and senior guests: a Medium serving tray (40 × 25 cm) with an engraved pattern, or a dates box (20 × 20 or 24 × 24 cm) with a cut lid.
  • Staff, delegates and conference guests: the Long dates box (30 × 10 × 8 cm, three compartments), a glass bowl (Ø 15 cm), or the person's own name in calligraphy.

Everyone in one tier receives the same piece; a different name or greeting on each is quoted from a names list.

4. The timing

A run is produced in 10–14 working days from the approved artwork and payment, plus two courier days. The last day for a purchase order before each season is on the corporate gifting page; the supplier's documents, payment and invoicing are on the page for government bodies.

Questions before you choose: WhatsApp the workshop or write to connect@mashq.ae.