He was attracted to calligraphy from an early age, drawing his inspiration from reading scripture and observing the calligraphy that decorated local mosques [3] As a youth, he studied briefly with Mullah Aref al-Shaikhli in Baghdad,[4] at the Al-Ahmadiyya School, which was owned Al-Shaikhli.[5] From the outset, he showed an early talent for the art of calligraphy, and exhibited a real dedication to learning the technique, a strict adherence to its extensive rules and a willingness to explore the secrets of Islamic lettering.[6]