A new exhibition will delve into the links between boxing and calligraphy, viewed through the experiences of British South Asian Muslim men in Bradford. As part of the district's UK City of Culture festivities, Fighting to Be Heard is a free exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

Visitors can explore rare Qurans from the British Library, some displayed in the North of England for the first time, with the oldest dating to the 9th century.

Co-curated by World Champion boxer Tasif Khan, his boxing academy members, and calligrapher Razwan Ul-Haq, the exhibition runs until April 27, showcasing rare items from the British Library’s Arabic and Urdu collections, as well as artifacts from the Bradford District Museums and Galleries.

These include works by artists Anwar Jalal Shemza, Shahzia Sikander and photographer Peter Sanders among others.

Other items include the 14th-century Öljaitü Qur’an, which is entirely painted in gold; handwritten Sufi Poetry in the Gujri dialect dating back to 1590 and an artwork from 2012, three paper airplanes calligraphed by the late Palestinian artist Dia Batal.

Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025 said: ‘This exhibition is a unique collaboration where the worlds of calligraphy and boxing meet, showing discipline, expression, and beauty.

"This exhibition is a bridge between cultures, as World Champion boxer Tasif Khan's Community Boxing Academy worked alongside master calligrapher Razwan Ul-Haq to co-curate this exhibition for Bradford’s communities and the North at large to see the artistry in both sport and scripture. 

“This partnership offers a rare chance to explore the beauty and contemporary relevance of Urdu and Arabic calligraphy, while celebrating the powerful heritage we hold in common. We hope that through this innovative project, brought together thanks to British Library and Cartwright Hall Art Gallery and their incredible collections, visitors will be inspired, and take a chance on an artform they may not have experienced before.”

Jamie Andrews, director of public engagement at the British Library said the museum was “exceptionally proud to be part of the celebration of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture”. 

Mr Andrews added: “This is a unique exhibition with Bradford District Museums and Galleries, exploring incredible objects in our Arabic and Urdu collections.

“We hope visitors will leave with a rich insight into how the disciplines of art and sport are interlinked and that these beautiful items can inspire everyone today.”