The American Muslim (TAM)

Through the Looking Glass: Eid Stamp Continues to Provoke Religious Right - update 9/4/09

Sheila Musaji

Posted Sep 4, 2009 • Permalink • Printer-Friendly Version

Through the Looking Glass: Eid Stamp Continues to Provoke Religious Right

by Sheila Musaji

Update 9/4/09 at bottom of article

Once again in 2005 - 4 years after the release of the Eid stamp by the U.S. Postal Service, we have ignorant people questioning why we should have such a stamp. This is not new, there have been those who compared issuing an Eid stamp to issuing a swastica stamp during WWII, and those who have called for a boycott of the stamp.

Why should we have any stamps honoring any holidays? Simply, because they are holidays celebrated by some Americans, and hopefully honored by those of us who celebrate other holidays.

There are many different Christmas stamps - so many that they need not be documented. There is a Hanukkah stamp. There is a Kwanzaa stamp. There is a Chinese lunar New Year stamp - in fact there is a whole series of them. There is a Thanksgiving stamp. There is no Halloween stamp, but there is a petition requesting one to be added. There is even a petition to add a Hindu Divali stamp.

Why should we have any stamp honoring the Muslim holiday of Eid? We should have such a stamp because there are at least 6 to 10 million Muslims in the U.S., and this means that Muslims are the second or third largest religious community in the U.S. (depending on the actual population number). American Muslims lobbied for the stamp and were suscessful. I hope that the effort to have a Diwali stamp is just as successful.

Instead, let me ask “why should we not” have such a stamp?

The only reasons that come to mind are that American Muslims are not realӔ Americans with the same rights as those of other denomination; that muslims have nothing to be proud of within their faith and customs; that we are at war with the entire religion of Islam to the point that even its joyous celebrations are taboo. I pray no one believes any of this to be true.

Since we already have stamps celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. and these are holidays of particular religions, then we must decide - either no religious holidays will be honored, or any may be.

I for one will continue to buy some of each of these to honor all!

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UPDATE November, 2007

Another “patriotic email” this year - “THEY DON’T EVEN BELIEVE IN CHRIST AND THEY’RE GETTING THEIR OWN CHRISTMAS STAMP,” sez the genius who composed the nationalistic screed. Um,excuse me, Mr. or Ms. “Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men,” Eid isn’t Christmas. Look it up. It’s a Muslim holiday. “Eid” is not Arabic for “Merry Christmas.” REMEMBER THE AMERICANS WHO HAVE DIED IN TERRORIST ATTACKS! BOYCOTT THIS STAMP!”

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UPDATE November, 2008

The crazies are out again. This year somehow connecting the translation of Eid Mubarak and Barack Obama’s name as if there is some sort of conspiracy going on here. Read this and weep or laugh http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/20/664402/-USPS-Eid-stamp-subtle-salute-to-President-elect

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UPDATE 9/4/2009

Since we are in Ramadan and people will be sending out Eid cards soon, this topic comes to the top of the list of non-issues that some folks just must waste time on. This year, Eric Snyder of the Tennessee Leaf Chronicle reports that: “Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper forwarded an e-mail this morning that urges “patriotic Americans” to protest a U.S. Postal Service stamp commemorating two Islamic holidays. ... Piper sent the e-mail to every City Council member, every department head, and numerous other city employees, friends and family members.”

The article further notes: “I don’t see any reason why it would be inappropriate,” Piper said, adding that he thought the e-mail was neither anti-Muslim or anti-Islamic. “I was surprised at a stamp being developed, and would have thought others would be, too,” he said.”

I’m certain the good mayor was just as surprised about President Obama’s White House Iftar.

And, of course the final recourse of all bigots: “I have some good Muslim friends,” he immediately added.”

Perhaps those good Muslim friends might enlighten him as to why THIS is offensive.

Just received a note that CAIR has sent a copy of the Qur’an to the Mayor.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED by CAIR:

CONTACT MAYOR PIPER to express your concerns about the negative impact anti-Islam stereotypes can have on ordinary American Muslims.
Be respectful and polite. Hostile comments can and will be used to harm the image of the Muslim community.

Mayor John E. Piper
One Public Square 4th floor
Clarksville, TN 37040

Office (931) 645-7444
Fax (931) 552-74799

E-Mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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