Canada Post has unveiled a new commemorative stamp celebrating Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, two of the most significant Islamic holidays.
This year’s stamp features the Canadian Prayer Rug, a piece of art symbolizing the historic ties between Indigenous and Muslim communities in Canada.
“[The rug] celebrates the deep, enduring connection between Indigenous and Muslim communities, which helped to open the country’s first mosque in Edmonton in 1938,” Canada Post wrote in a news release, CBC reported.
“More than a work of art, the rug symbolizes unity and multiculturalism within Treaty 6 Territory, which includes Edmonton.”
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The Canadian Prayer Rug was created in 2016 through The Green Room, a youth-support initiative of IslamicFamily, an Edmonton-based charity providing culturally sensitive services.
The project brought together Métis artist Kit Craven and Muslim weaver Noor Iqbal, who designed the rug based on interviews with Indigenous Elders and descendants of Canada’s early Muslim settlers.
The rug’s intricate design represents Alberta’s diverse landscapes and seasons. At its heart, an archway and a lodgepole pine—a tree integral to Indigenous lodges—echo the cypress trees of Muslim settlers’ homelands.
Woven using locally sourced wool and dyes, the rug embodies a rich cultural and historical narrative.
Celebrating Canada’s Diversity
Beyond its artistic beauty, the prayer rug serves as a powerful symbol of unity and multiculturalism within Treaty 6 Territory, which includes Edmonton.
It commemorates the long-standing connection between Indigenous and Muslim communities, a relationship that led to the establishment of Canada’s first mosque in Edmonton in 1938.
This release marks Canada Post’s seventh Eid stamp issue, recognizing the celebrations of Muslim Canadians.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are observed with communal prayers, festive meals, gift-giving, and charitable acts.
The Eid stamp joins other Canada Post issues honoring cultural celebrations, including Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas.
With this release, Canada Post continues to highlight the country’s rich multicultural fabric, honoring the traditions and shared histories that shape Canada’s diverse communities.
