First Ever Eid Stamp Unveiled
The U.S. Postal Service has unveiled their 2001 commemorative stamp program, presented as "A New Century of Stamps," with an assortment of colorful, educational stamps that has something for everyone. The USPS revealed their 2001 collection Monday live on C-SPAN from the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum, a first for the U.S. Postal Service.
One of the stamps presented in the broadcast was the much-awaited Eid stamp, commemorating the two most important festivals-or Eids-in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha marks the end of the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims who are physically or financially able are obligated to perform at some point in their life. Eid al-Fitr, or "Feast of the fast-breaking," which is expected to occur this year on December 27th, celebrates the end of the month long Ramadan fast.
The new Eid stamp features in Arabic the phrase "Eid mubarak" written in gold against a blue background and in English it has the words "Eid Greetings." The phrase Eid mubarak translates from Arabic as "blessed festival." The stamp will be available to the public in October 2001, in time for next year's holiday celebration.
The stamp showcases the beautiful art of Islamic calligraphy and was designed by internationally renowned American-born Islamic calligrapher Mohamed Zakariya. Zakariya, 57, studied calligraphy after he converted from Christianity to Islam and has since become one of the most accomplished Islamic calligraphers in the United States. He began his study of Islamic calligraphy with A.S. Ali Nour in Tangier and London in 1964 and was invited in 1984 to study at the Research Center for Islamic History, Art, and Culture in Istanbul, Turkey. He was the first American to receive an "icazet" or diploma from the Research Center for Islamic History, certifying his mastery of calligraphy and his expertise in teaching this breathtaking and timeless art.
The issuance of the Eid stamp in 2001 is a first and has been long in coming. Since the early 90s, American Muslim groups and individuals have lobbied to get an Eid ul-Fitr or Ramadan stamp issued that represents the Islamic faith's holiday. In 1996 hundreds of Muslim children responded to an action alert from the Council on American-Islamic Relations by sending requests for an Eid ul-Fitr stamp to the Postmaster General. According to CAIR, the postal service said it received hundreds of letters requesting the stamp.
"This is one sign that the Muslim presence in America is being recognized," said CAIR Board Chairman Omar Ahmad.
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