A novel virtual keyboard and utility for Quran text writing in Qaloon narration based on Al-Dani script

Abstract

Till today, the writing of Quran script is done manually by calligraphers using the traditional techniques (papers and pens). This requires long time and huge effort to produce a complete authentic copy of Quran. After getting the final handwritten version then a digital process (scanning, adding decoration, etc.) is taking place to finalize Quran in its last version (Mushaf). Although Quran is revealed in Arabic language, but, writing Quran scripts require additional Arabic letters and diacritics that should reflect the recitation rules because the Arabic letters and diacritics exist in Arabic computer fonts are not enough for writing Quran. Reciting Quran is mainly based on ten correct and authenticated readings (Qiraat). There are two famous Qiraat of Quran: qiraa of Asim in the narration of Hafs, which is widely used over the Islamic world, and secondly the qiraa of Nafi in the narration of Warsh and the narration of Qaloon that is mainly used in North Africa. In order to store and process data in the computer, data must be encoded. There are different ways to encode data such as ASCII, EBCDIC, UNICODE and so on. Processing of Arabic data using a computer requires coding of such data using one of the methods of encoding Arabic data such as ISO-8859-6, CP-1256, and UNICODE. Although Arabic characters are used in the computer, but they do not cover all letters and diacritics which need to write Quran and indicating the differences in reading (Qira`at). There are few attempts for writing the Quran using computer. In addition, there is neither physical or virtual keyboard nor a font of computer assigned to write the Quran corresponding to the Uthmanic font for narration Qaloon based on Al-dani script up to date. The mission of this research has been accomplished by inventing a novel virtual keyboard and Utility to facilitate and to computerize writing of Quran script and overcome the current weaknesses. Re-designing all the letters and diacritics that were already exist in Arabic fonts (but not convenient with Al-dani script). Designing all the letters and diacritics that related to Al-dani script. Preparing the map of characters using the Unicode for each character. Implementing the Utility that produced in its initial form (Al-dani Quranic font). Enhancing the Utility in addition of accurate positioning of diacritics and marks over or below the letters that to facilitate the reciting of Quran without mistakes. Designing and implementing a new virtual keyboard (Al-dani Quranic keyboard) to write samples of holy Quran with assistance of the Utility, and compared them with the hand-written Quran, a perfect match between them has been found. An experiment was conducted to write pages from the Quran using a group of individuals, a good results was obtained as it was found that the time needed to write the whole Quran by one person using computer equal 3 to 4 percent only from the time needed to write the whole Quran handwritten by the calligrapher which fulfilment of the requirements of reducing the time, cost, and effort.