Lateef

Lateef is an extended Arabic script font named after Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai, the famous Sindhi mystic and poet. It was designed by SIL International for modern Unicode-based systems using OpenType for complex-script rendering. Lateef supports virtually all of the Unicode 4.1 Arabic character repertoire (excluding the Arabic Presentation Forms blocks, which are not recommended for normal use), and is designed in an appropriate style for use in Sindhi and other languages of the southern Asia. This typeface is currently available in Regular weight only.

The design of Lateef provides a "simplified" rendering of the Arabic script; it uses basic connecting glyphs but doesn't include a wide variety of additional ligatures or contextual alternates (only the required lam-alef ligatures). This simplified style is often preferred for clarity, especially in non-Arabic languages, but may be considered unattractive in more traditional and literate communities.

Because Arabic is such a complex script, and because there are so many variations in calligraphic style from one language or cultural group to another, it is difficult to predict whether a particular font will render well for a particular language on a particular platform. Lateef uses OpenType technology to provide rendering information needed by application and system software. Usability of the features provided in these fonts will depend on the exact capabilities of your software.

Lateef is freely available and may be used by anyone at no cost. It is released under the SIL Open Font License, a free and open source license that permits modification and redistribution.