On October 4, 2022, the Department of International and Middle Eastern Studies at the American University in Dubai hosted the Italian Calligraphy artist Antonella Leoni.

Ms. Leoni delivered a lecture on “Nur al-Qalam” Earthly Embodiments of Spiritual Realities to students, faculty and staff, where she discussed the art of Arabic calligraphy and marbling.

Ms. Leoni is visiting Dubai, in coordination with Arteology Egypt, a leading art gallery in the Middle East, where she will be opening the art event "From the light of the stars to letters of the light" on October 7, 2022. She will also be collaborating with Egyptian fashion artist, Rasha Pasha, in her collection "From Cairo with Love" on October 8, 2022 where she will be adding her Arabic calligraphic touch on Pasha's designs.