[press release] Click on photos for larger versions. Technical specifications at the bottom.

Eye-catching Eid stamp issued to mark Islamic celebrations

TORONTO – Canada Post joins more than a million Muslims in Canada and many others around the world in celebrating the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha with the release of an eye-catching Eid stamp. The issue is the third in an ongoing series celebrating the two important Islamic holidays, which begin this year around May 12 and July 9, respectively, and can last for several days.

About Eid festivals
Eid festivals are greeted with celebration, as they coincide with the completion of two practices of religious and cultural significance – Eid al-Fitr heralds the end of the fast held during the holy month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha follows the annual Hadj pilgrimage to the holy Kaaba shrine in Mecca. Gratitude and appreciation for community and greater humanity are central to both events. Thanks are expressed through communal prayers and feasts, family visits, and acts of kindness and charity to others – particularly the less fortunate.

About the stamp
A luminous night sky viewed through a latticed window is the focus of this year’s design by Context Creative. The crescent moon, a highly recognizable symbol of Islam, alludes to the fact that both festivals begin with the sighting of a new moon. Printed by Lowe-Martin, the domestic rate Permanent™ stamp is available in a booklet of 10 and on an Official First Day Cover, which are available at [direct link]. [en Francais pour les médias d’information]

Un superbe timbre sur l’Aïd est émis en l’honneur des fêtes islamiques

TORONTO – Postes Canada se joint à plus d’un million de musulmans au Canada et à beaucoup d’autres dans le monde pour célébrer les fêtes d’Aïd al-Fitr et d’Aïd al-Adha avec l’émission d’une superbe vignette sur l’Aïd. Il s’agit de la troisième émission d’une série courante consacrée à ces deux fêtes islamiques importantes qui commencent respectivement vers les 12 mai et 9 juillet cette année et durent sur plusieurs jours.

À propos des fêtes de l’Aïd
On souligne les fêtes de l’Aïd par des célébrations qui coïncident avec deux pratiques importantes sur les plans religieux et culturel : l’Aïd al-Fitr, qui annonce la fin du jeûne observé durant le mois sacré du ramadan, et l’Aïd al-Adha, qui marque la fin du pèlerinage annuel du Hadj pour visiter le sanctuaire de la Kaaba, à La Mecque. La gratitude, le sens de la communauté et une plus grande humanité sont au cœur de ces deux fêtes. Les remerciements s’expriment par des prières, des festins, des rassemblements familiaux et des actes de bonté et de charité, surtout envers les moins bien nantis.

À propos du timbre
Un ciel nocturne lumineux vu au travers d’une fenêtre en treillis est le point de mire du motif de cette année créé par Context Creative. Le croissant de lune, symbole distinctif de l’islam, évoque le fait que les deux fêtes débutent à l’arrivée de la nouvelle lune. Imprimé par Lowe-Martin, le timbre PermanentMC au tarif du régime intérieur est offert en carnet de dix et sur un pli Premier Jour officiel, tous deux en vente sur le site [direct].Earlier, from Details philatelic catalogue:

The crescent moon on this year’s eye-catching Eid stamp holds special meaning for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha – two of the most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. A highly recognizable symbol of Islam, it also alludes to the fact that both festivals commence with the sighting of a new moon.

Another striking feature of the stamp design is that the view of the night sky is shown through a window, the shape of which was inspired by arches often used in mosque architecture. An overlaid pattern of hexagrams creates an intricately latticed screen – or jali – another form of decoration common in Islamic architecture.

This issue is the third stamp in Canada Post’s ongoing series marking Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which begin this year around May 12 and July 19, respectively. The celebrations coincide with two practices of religious and cultural significance – Eid al-Fitr heralds the end of the fast held during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha follows the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the holy Kaaba shrine in Mecca. Both festivals are associated with gratitude, empathy and sacrifice, and they focus on opportunities to help those less fortunate.