Author Archives: Ian Whiteman

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About Ian Whiteman

see www.cwdm-portfolio.com

A Complete Dip in the Ocean (and how to get it)

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

“Some of the great spiritual music of the world, rarely heard but strangely familiar – its thousand year-old tradition must have influenced a Northern Europe coming out of the dark ages -played and sung here by today’s greatest exponents,this is … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellaneous, music, religion, tassawuf | 7 Comments

Purification of the Heart Revisited

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

The second edition of Hamza Yusuf’s Purification of the Heart is shortly to be printed, eight years after it’s first impression. It has been completely re-typeset in a typeface named Quadraat which was selected as Sandala’s house style ten years … Continue reading →

Posted in typography / design | 5 Comments

Mohamed Zakariya, Calligrapher

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

The 20th May just gone was Mohamed Zakariya’s 7oth birthday. He is not that well known outside the rarified atmosphere of Ottoman calligraphers but he has had a great measure of influence on people like myself over the years. His … Continue reading →

Posted in typography / design | 2 Comments

Not About Typography

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

This isn’t about typography, or music. File under personal jottings. As a confirmed expat, my umbilical link to the old country is through my computer, like probably millions of other expats. Whilst tapping on my laptop a few days ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellaneous, religion, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ancient Prophets of Arabia

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

Following my tradition of announcing books I have worked on, here is a big one. Dr. Mostafa Badawi, (a medical doctor of Egyptian origin), practices as a psychiatrist in a hospital in Medina and is hidden away in that wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in architectural, language, miscellaneous, music, Publishing, religion, typography / design | 4 Comments

Chocolate Bunnies

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

Easter is a strange time of year in Spain. As a puzzled young mother said to me: How do you explain what all the chocolate bunnies, crucifixions and fireworks mean to a two year old boy. How do you? I suggested … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellaneous, religion, tassawuf, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Brief History of Transliteration

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

Language is powerful; and its written word is like a weapon which when launched out into the world enlivens or maims. As cultures and civilisations have moved and evolved through history, the way they have chosen to write their language … Continue reading →

Posted in language, miscellaneous, Publishing, typography / design, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Meccan Rebellion

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

A new book, The Meccan Rebellion, by Thomas Hegghamer and Stephane Lacroix  has just been published by Amal Press, Bristol, and typeset by yours truly (not the cover I should add) and is now on sale. To quote some of the blurbs: … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellaneous, Publishing, typography / design, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Fly of God

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

Have you ever wondered why a mosquito or a fly lands on your face at precisely that moment in the early dawn when you know you should wake up and get out of bed? Did you swat it or did … Continue reading →

Posted in typography / design | 9 Comments

Olé

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

‘A usted‘ is the reply you will often get in Spain when thanking a tradesman or a shopkeeper and it always brings with it a smile. A small but significant courtesy. Usted (or its arabic forerunner ustadh) is the formal … Continue reading →

Posted in architectural, language, miscellaneous | Leave a comment