Muslim Indonesia issues pig-free stamps

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

JAKARTA (AFP) — Indonesia will next week issue a special set stamps to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Pig -- but minus the star of the show.

The set will feature all 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac with the exception of the pig, an animal regarded by Muslims as unclean.

The stamps are the first to mark the Lunar Year in the world's most populous Muslim majority country since it was designated a national holiday in 2000.

"Indonesia never outwardly printed anything on this theme," Indonesian Post director Hana Suryana was quoted as saying by the state Antara news agency.

"It is difficult for us not to issue the Chinese New Year stamps especially after the revisions (in the design)," he said.

Each animal in the zodiac will have its own stamp...