UAE – Arabic Literacy Day Stamp Set (1983) – Withdrawn Issue

Issued by the United Arab Emirates in 1983, this commemorative stamp set marked Arabic Literacy Day and promoted literacy through the symbolism of an open Qur’an and a traditional oil lamp representing knowledge and enlightenment. Shortly after its release, the stamps were withdrawn from circulation because they reproduced verses from the Holy Qur’an. Authorities were concerned that used stamps bearing Qur’anic text might be discarded or handled inappropriately after postal use. As a result, the issue became one of the best-known withdrawn stamps in UAE philately.

Additional Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates

• Year: 1983

• Type: Commemorative Stamp Set (Withdrawn Issue)

• Subject: Arabic Literacy Day

• Number of Stamps: 2

• Face Values:

• 25 Fils

• 75 Fils

• Perforation: Perforated

• Design Features:

• Open Holy Qur’an displaying verses from Surat Al-’Alaq

• Traditional oil lamp symbolizing knowledge

• Arabic Literacy Day inscription

• Condition: Mint, unused (based on image provided)

• Special Features:

• Officially withdrawn from circulation.

• Withdrawn because the stamps contained verses from the Holy Qur’an, raising concerns that they could be discarded or treated disrespectfully after postal use.

• Considered one of the most significant withdrawn issues in modern UAE philately.