On the occasion of the culmination of Mawlana Hazar Imam's Golden Jubilee, the Ismaili Council for Kenya, together with the Postal Corporation of Kenya, officially launched a series of four commemorative stamps to recognise this historic period and acknowledge the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in the country.
In a colourful ceremony on 13 December 2008, attended by Jamati and AKDN leaders, donors and partners in development, the stamps were unveiled by the Postmaster General of the Postal Corporation of Kenya, Mr Fred Odhiambo, and the Vice President of the Ismaili Council for Kenya, Mr Anwar Hajee.
The stamps depict four of the AKDN's major Kenyan and regional initiatives – the Aga Khan University Hospital, the Aga Khan Academy, and the Aga Khan Foundation's Madrasa Preschool Programme and Coastal Rural Support Programme. The issue has four stamps in denominations of KShs 25, 65, 75 and 95.
“Today marks a special and proud day for the Ismaili Muslim community,” remarked Vice-President Hajee during the launch ceremony. “Just as the Postal Corporation of Kenya enables large numbers of peoples in different lands, and of different cultures, to communicate with each other, promoting the sharing ideas and ideals, visions and aspirations, so too, with the launch of these stamps today, we hope that in a small but significant way, they will also lead to a better understanding amongst Kenyans, and indeed people around the world, of the work of the AKDN, and will promote the principles upon which the Network operates; those of pluralism, peace, acceptance, generosity, collaboration, and the spirit of partnership.”
The Postmaster General noted that Mawlana Hazar Imam's Golden Jubilee “holds significance not only for the Ismaili Muslim community, but also for Kenyans as a whole, as we acknowledge his great contribution to the socio-economic well being of our people.” He added that “the Postal Corporation of Kenya is proud to have been given the opportunity to spread the message on the contributions of the Aga Khan Development Network through these stamps.”