Arabic script calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing, using the letters of the Arabic alphabet.
This art form is also known as Islamic calligraphy, because it was first developed to write the Koran—the holy book of Islam. Calligraphy is one of the highest forms of visual art in the Islamic world. Today, this art form is practiced and enjoyed by people from many different countries and religions.
"Islam has exerted also a more subtle, a more indirect influence on the development of calligraphy: by discouraging the graphic representation of human beings and animals it channeled the creative energies of Muslim artists toward other decorative arts, especially calligraphy."
From: Al-Baba, Kamel. "Calligraphy: A Noble Art." Saudi Aramco World, 15:4: 1-7. July/August 1964.