TEHRAN -- Nastaliq style of calligraphy was originally invented in Iran, and later on spread to other Muslim nations to writing Qoran manuscripts, said a Turkish artist here Monday.

Ali Alb Arsalan told the Students' News Agency (ISNA) on the sidelines of the 10th International Holy Qoran Exhibition that Turkish calligraphers followed the school of Iranian Mir Emadi Hassani in their Nastaliq works.

However, he added, in the 19th century, a Turkish calligrapher Mustafa Ezzat changed the Iranian Nastaliq to a certain degree and invented the Turkish school of script writing.

"Still, the changes are very slight, and included, for example, the length of letters and the number of points that are put on words," Arsalan said.

The Turkish artist further highlighted the contribution of the holy Qoran to promoting art in Muslim nations, stressing that this has so far been manifested the most in Islamic calligraphy, Islamic architecture, and tile work.

Arsalan hailed Iran's 10th International Holy Qoran Exhibition, stressing that it had provided a good opportunity for Muslim Qoran calligraphers from all over the world to present their works to viewers.

He also added that works on display had fascinated him, adding that the event had made it easily to understand the developments of Qoran calligraphy.