Aldhabi is an Arabic typeface inspired by early Diwani calligraphy. It is intended for use at large, display sizes in titles, and in situations where an elegant, flowing style is appropriate. Although its roots are in Ottoman and Persian calligraphy, Aldhabi is a computer typeface designed to be readable by modern readers. It includes a set of Latin letters that have been designed to complement the Arabic letter forms, for occasional words in English or other European languages within an Arabic text, or for transliteration of Arabic and Persian.
Aldhabi was designed for Microsoft in 2015 by type designers Tim Holloway, Fiona Ross, and John Hudson, with consultation by Mamoun Sakkal and ornaments designed by Titus Nemeth. It was inspired by a flowing, undulating Ottoman Turkish writing style known as the “way of curls.” It also involves features in common with Persian nastaliq style. It has only one weight.
