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Islam in the U.S.	13 November 2000

U.S. Postal Stamp Issued in Observance of Eid

By William B. Reinckens, Washington File Correspondent

Washington -- Most U.S. postal stamps bear the pictures of late presidents, statesmen, sports figures, wildlife scenes, inventors and one even bears the word, LOVE. In Washington, on November 13, a beautifully simple stamp done in calligraphy recognizes Eid, celebrated by millions of Muslim Americans annually.

In announcing the "Eid Mubarak" stamp, the U.S. Postal Service noted that the 33-cent stamp commemorates the two most important festivals or eids in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha marks the end of the hajj, the annual period designated for Muslims to make their pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of the Ramadan fast.

The stamp, which is gracefully executed in gold against a blue background, is reminiscent of many great works of Islamic calligraphy.

Designed by calligrapher Mohamed Zakariya, the Eid stamp features the Arabic phrase "Eid mubarak" which translates as "blessed festival," and can be paraphrased, "May your religious holiday be blessed."

This year, the U.S. Postal Service honored three U.S. holidays with stamps -- Eid, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"U.S. postage stamps are a reflection of the American experience," said Postmaster General William Henderson, and "inspiring subjects and designs continue to bring history to life."

In November 1999, Representatives Dana Rohrabacher, California, and Thomas M. Davis, Virginia, introduced legislation that a U.S. postage stamp should be issued recognizing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The resolution noted that there are more than "five million practicing Muslims in the United States, who represent one of the fastest growing segments of American society."

The proposed legislation noted that "those who follow the Islamic faith are a diverse community comprised of all races, colors, and political opinions, who make important and valuable contributions to American society and culture."

The lawmakers noted that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the three monotheistic religions of the world and that Jewish and Christian holidays have been recognized on U.S. postage stamps but "no Islamic observance is similarly commemorated."

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