First Muslim Stamp Issued In U.S. To Celebrate EID Fests

Jet, Sept 3, 2001

With upwards of 7 million Muslims in America, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on September 1 will issue a stamp that highlights the Muslim holidays of Eid.

The stamp will be issued at the annual Islamic Society of North America's convention in Des Plaines, IL.

The 34-cent Eid stamp commemorates the two most important festivals--or eids--in the Islamic calendar: Eid al--Fitr and Eid al--Adha.

On these days, Muslims wish each other "Eid mubarak," the phrase featured in Islamic calligraphy on the stamp. "Eid mubarak" translates as "blessed festival," and can be paraphrased as "May your religious holiday be blessed." This phrase can be applied to both Eid al--Fitr and Eid al--Adha.

"This is a proud moment for the Postal Service, the Muslim community and Americans in general as we issue a postage stamp to honor and commemorate two important Islamic celebrations," said Azeezaly S. Jaffer, USPS public affairs vice president.

"The Eid stamp will help us highlight the business, educational and social contributions of the estimated 7 million Muslims in this country."

Cities with the largest Muslim population are Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix.