Zubair Simab fled Afghanistan at 17, eventually emigrating to the Bay Area. With his calligraphy, he seeks both to preserve the ancient art of beautifying Arabic texts and to build understanding among cultures.  This video with accompanying National Standards is just one piece in a PBS LearningMedia art collection.  The studies in visual art allow students to learn about world history, cultures, and geography while engaging creativity. Entitled Art and Social Studies, the video collection gives students a sense of the role art has played in Chinese, African, Mexican, Iranian and Native American cultures, and how contemporary artists interpret such global art traditions.