By ABDULMALIK MERCHANT
(Publisher/Editor Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)
The Diamond Jubilee memorabilia store located by the entrance to the exhibition space was one of the busiest places during the week long Darbar celebrations at Park of Nations (Parque das Nações) in Lisbon. The queues at the store got even longer when an announcement was made that the store would also be selling a diamond embedded stamp commemorative sheet that it had received from the Portuguese Postal Services (CTT).
Within a day, as I found out from an enthusiastic sales volunteer, more than 1000 units of the sheet were sold at the store, out of a total of 7000 that had been manufactured. I acquired 2 sets at 20 euros each, and have become one of the thousands of proud owners of this magnificent diamond embedded “memorabilia”.
What a fantastic idea by CTT to come up with this unique object honouring Hazar Imam. As the saying goes “a diamond is forever.” To the “thoughtfully wise” at CTT I say on behalf of every Ismaili: ‘We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for honouring our beloved Imam in such a wonderful and unique manner.”
The CTT stamp was unveiled on July 8, 2018 during a luncheon the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, hosted for Mawlana Hazar Imam. The event was attended by Mawlana Hazar Imam’s younger brother, Prince Amyn Aga Khan, the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, the Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, as well as CTT’s CEO, Francisco Lacerda, and its Head of Philately, Raul Moreira.
On July 9, 2018, CTT launched the entire philatelic issue. This issue consists of a stamp with a face value of € (euro) 0.91 (125,000 copies) and a souvenir sheet, which has two versions: One with a value of € 2 and 50 thousand copies and another one of only 7 thousand copies, with a diamond of 1.25 mm, at a price of € 20. Also, on sale are a first day cover with the stamp with a value of € 1.69 and a first day cover with a souvenir sheet with a value of € 3.21. We have provided a link to the CTT’s on-line shop at the bottom of this post, where you may be able to purchase these items (subject to availability). The website does not list the diamond sheet of € 20, making me wonder if all 7000 sheets have been sold!
On July 10, 2018, the CTT Facebook page was updated with the following image:
A downloadable PDF file explaining the stamp’s features along with a profile of Mawlana Hazar Imam in both Portuguese and English was released by CTT on its website. To download this informative file, please click Pag diptica_sua_alteza_aga_khan_2018.
In releasing the stamp, CTT explains:
“Prince Karim Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of Muslims Shia Imami Ismailis. According to 1400 years of Muslim tradition, the Imam is not only spiritual guide, but also leads the effort to improve the safety and quality of their lives and all those with whom they share their destiny, regardless of their creed, gender or ethnicity . It was in this context that the Aga Khan Development Network was created, which has been present in Portugal since 1983 through the Aga Khan Foundation.
“In 2015, His Highness Aga Khan signed an agreement with the Portuguese Republic on the establishment of the formal headquarters of Imamat Ismaili (a supranational entity representing the succession of the Imams since the time and in the progeny of Prophet Muhammad ) in Portugal. The Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, in Lisbon, will become the world headquarters of Imamat Ismaili and will operate according to the rules of a foreign diplomatic delegation. In Europe, Portugal has one of the largest concentrations of Muslim Ismailis.
“This philatelic issue consists of a stamp with a face value of € 0.91 (125,000 copies) and a stamp with a stamp, which will have two versions. One with a value of 2 € and 50 thousand copies and another one of only 7 thousand copies, with a diamond of 1.25 mm, at a price of € 20.
“The first day obliterations will be made at the Restauradores stores in Lisbon, Muncipio do Porto, Zarco in Funchal and Antero de Quental in Ponta Delgada.”
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CTT set commemorating the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee
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Link to CTT on-line store to purchase Diamond Jubilee set and associated philatelic objects
PLEASE CLICK: Purchase collection of His Highness the Aga Khan set at CTT
Date posted: August 2, 2018.
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Barakah 
Dear Malik:
Mashallah. This not only an honout to Mawlana Hazar Imam by the government of Portugal but also grace of Mawla to people of Portugal worldwide. Thank you.
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Such a touching gesture to honour Mawlana Hazar Imam with a properly thought-out and meaningful souvenir! Kudos to CTT and the Govt of Portugal!
And thank you for showcasing them. Didn’t even know about these!
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Ya Ali Madad,
Any idea if the unique souvenir is available in our Jamatkhana literature counters in Toronto and other parts of the world? Thank you.
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Nargis: I wonder myself! The question is how many did the council for Portugal receive for sale from the Portuguese Postal Services. If the entire lot of 7000, then were all 7000 sold at the memorabilia store within 2 days. I know, speaking to a sales volunteer, that they had sold around 1200 on the first day they went on sale. I would not think that 6000 would have been sold on the last day, but anything is possible. Hopefully there are several thousand still remaining that will be made available at literature desks in Toronto and elsewhere.
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Very nice work done.
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