Istanbul Summer Intensive 2026: Tezhip, Islamic Illumination
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-10
Istanbul Summer Intensive 2026: Tezhip, Islamic Illumination
Istanbul Summer Intensive: Tezhip, Islamic Illumination
► Program Name: Istanbul Summer Intensive: Tezhip, Islamic Illumination
► Dates: June 28- July 10, 2026
► Class Times: Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
► Tour Days: Fridays, featuring guided visits to Istanbul’s renowned cultural and artistic landmarks
► Location: Klasik Türk Sanatlar Vakfı, Üsküdar, Istanbul
► Master: Fatma Ulusoy Sirajuddin
► Prices:
Early Bird Fee: $629 until February 15
Regular Fee: $763 until May 15
Late Fee: $796 until June 30 (based on availability)
Full Refund: Cancel by April 15 to receive a full refund.*
Partial Refund: Cancellations after April 15 are eligible for a partial refund.
No Refunds: Cancellations after May 15 are non-refundable.
*after transaction processing fees are deducted. BOOK NOW
Tour Highlights Include:
Ebru Workshop with Hikmet Barutçugil: Visit to Ebristan, a workshop brimming with exquisite examples of Islamic art, and participate in a workshop with the world-renowned Ebru artist, Hikmet Barutçugil.
Sabancı Museum: Featuring a collection of rare examples of calligraphy and Islamic Illumination.
Hamidiye Mosque: An astonishing late-ottoman mosque with unique elements of decoration.
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa Mosque : A contemporary mosque inspired by Sinan’s Suleymaniye mosque.
Çamlıca Museum of Islamic Civilizations: Featuring rare examples of Islamic art from the Ottoman period.
Çamlıca Mosque: A magnificent contemporary mosque mimicking classical period with astonishing views of the city.
Please note that there may be changes in tour destinations. As we vary our tours each year, we will recommend students to explore other landmarks of the city on their free time.
General Information
Tezhip: Classic Islamic Illumination – Istanbul Summer Intensive 2026
Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Islamic Illumination with this two-week intensive program in Istanbul. Hosted at the prestigious Klasik Türk Sanatlar Vakfı, a restored historic Mevlevi lodge in Üsküdar, the program offers an inspiring environment filled with original calligraphy, tezhip, and miniature artwork.
Participants will study under the guidance of Fatma Ulusoy Hoca, renowned for her expertise in the art of Islamic Illumination, Tezhip. Classes are designed to enhance both your technical skills and your understanding of the profound spiritual connection that the art of tezhip embodies in the historical context of Istanbul, an open museum exhibiting 800 years of Islamic heritage.
Classes will be held from 10am to 4pm Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be dedicated to guided tours of Istanbul’s artistic and historic landmarks, offering participants the chance to witness masterworks of Islamic art and architecture firsthand. These tours aim at enriching the learning experience by connecting classroom study with real-world masterpieces.
Additional Information
We recommend staying in or near Üsküdar for convenience. The neighborhood offers a range of accommodations, from budget-friendly hotels to Airbnbs, all within walking distance or a short scooter ride from the program venue.
Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot now to experience this unforgettable journey into the heart of Islamic art! WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Program fees
Program Orientation
Guided tours to historic and artistic landmarks on Fridays
Ebru workshop with Hikmet Barutçugil
Transportation to and from tour sites
Museum fees

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?

Airfare
Lodging and accommodations
Meals
Transportation outside of the guided tour days (e.g., getting to and from the venue).
Art Supplies/Materials for the program

ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTOR
Fatma Ulusoy Sirajuddin
Fatma Ulusoy Sirajuddin was born in Istanbul (b.1988) and graduated from European Islamic University Faculty of Islamic Sciences in 2012 and Anadolu University Open Education Faculty of Theology in 2016. In 2025, she was awarded a BA degree in the fields of Islamic Illumination, tezhip, and miniature from Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University, Istanbul.
Fatma hoca continued her education with her husband Shahryanshah Sirajuddin in Riq’a and Diwani scripts until 2015, when she decided to focus on illumination with Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak.
During the summer of the pandemic, Fatma Hoca joined the Deen Arts team and began teaching students the art of Islamic manuscript illumination, or tezhip. Fatma Hoca is fluent in Turkish and Malay. However, due to her exposure and engagement with English-speaking students, she has begun to comprehend the English language as her students learn Turkish in class.
Shahanshah Sirajuddin and Fatma Ulusoy Hocas continue to produce magnificent works of illuminated and calligraphy together in Istanbul.

Manuscript Illumination / Tezhip

Fatma Ulusoy

Istanbul Summer Intensive 2026: Islamic Calligraphy
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-10
Istanbul Summer Intensive 2026: Islamic Calligraphy
Istanbul Summer Intensive: Islamic Calligraphy
► Program Name: Istanbul Summer Intensive: Islamic Calligraphy
► Dates: June 28– July 10, 2026
► Class Times: Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
► Location: Klasik Türk Sanatlar Vakfı, Üsküdar, Istanbul
► Master: Shahryanshah Sirajuddin
► Tour Days: Fridays, featuring guided visits to Istanbul’s renowned cultural and artistic landmarks
► Prices:
Early Bird Fee: $629 until February 15
Regular Fee: $763 until May 15
Late Fee: $796 until June 30
Full Refund: Cancel by April 15 to receive a full refund.*
Partial Refund: Cancellations after April 15 are eligible for a partial refund.
No Refunds: Cancellations after May 15 are non-refundable.
*after transaction processing fees are deducted. BOOK NOW
Tour Highlights Include:
Ebru Workshop with Hikmet Barutçugil: Visit to Ebristan, a workshop brimming with exquisite examples of Islamic art, and participate in a workshop with the world-renowned Ebru artist, Hikmet Barutçugil.
Sabancı Museum: Featuring a collection of rare examples of calligraphy and Islamic Illumination.
Hamidiye Mosque: A late-ottoman mosque with unique elements of decoration.
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa Mosque : A contemporary mosque inspired by Sinan’s Suleymaniye mosque.
Çamlıca Museum of Islamic Civilizations: Featuring rare examples of Islamic art from the Ottoman period.
Çamlıca Mosque: A magnificent contemporary mosque mimicking classical period with astonishing views of the city.
Please note that there may be changes in tour destinations. As we vary our tours each year, we will recommend students to explore other landmarks of the city on their free time.

General Information
Islamic Calligraphy – Istanbul Summer Intensive 2026
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Islamic calligraphy with this two-week intensive program in Istanbul. Hosted at the prestigious Klasik Türk Sanatlar Vakfı, a restored historic Mevlevihanesi in Üsküdar, the program offers an inspiring environment filled with original calligraphy, tezhip, and miniature masterpieces .
Participants will study under the guidance of Shahryanshah Sirajuddin Hoca, renowned for his expertise in the art of Islamic calligraphy. Classes are designed to enhance both your technical skills and your understanding of the profound spiritual connection that calligraphy embodies in the historical context of Istanbul, an open museum exhibiting 800 years of Islamic heritage.
Classes will be held from 10am to 4pm Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be dedicated to guided tours of Istanbul’s artistic and historic landmarks, offering participants the chance to witness masterworks of Islamic art and architecture firsthand. These tours aim at enriching the learning experience by connecting classroom study with real-world masterpieces.
Additional Information
We recommend staying in or near Üsküdar for convenience. The neighborhood offers a range of accommodations, from budget-friendly hotels to Airbnbs, all within walking distance or a short scooter ride from the program venue.
Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot now to experience this unforgettable journey into the heart of Islamic art! WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Program fees
Program Orientation
Guided tours to historic and artistic landmarks on Fridays
Ebru workshop with Hikmet Barutçugil
Transportation to and from tour sites
Museum fees

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?

Airfare
Lodging and accommodations
Meals
Transportation outside of the guided tour days (e.g., getting to and from the venue).
Art Supplies/Materials for the program

ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTOR
Shahryanshah Sirajuddin
Shahryanshah Sirajuddin was born in Sangkulirang, Indonesia (b.1986) and graduated from the faculty of Islamic Law of Al-Azhar University-Egypt in 2009.
In Egypt, he received his Ijazah for Riq’a, Diwani, and Diwani Jali scripts from Sheikh Belaid Hamidi. With the recommendation of his master, he came to Turkey in 2010 to further his studies in calligraphy.
He practiced Thuluth and Naskh under the guidance of a number of masters like Hasan Çelebi, Ferhat Kurlu and Mümtaz Seçkin Durdu. He also received calligraphy lessons from various masters in Istanbul, including Savaş Çevik, Ali Toy, Davut Bektaş, Mehmed Özçay, and Osman Özçay.

This led him to receive his Ijazah in Arabic calligraphy during the ceremony organized by IRCICA (Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture)

Shahryanshah is also undertaking a Magister program in the Fine Arts Department at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University.
​Shahryanshah has taken part in multiple calligraphy competitions and has also won many of them. His calligraphic works have found homes in various galleries and exhibitions. Shahryanshah Sirajuddin Hoca and Fatma Ulusoy Hoca continue to produce magnificent works of illumination and calligraphy work together in Istanbul.

Thuluth, Naskh, Diwani Jali, Diwani & Riq'a Scripts

Shahryanshah Sirajuddin
