Sheikha Hala receives honorary membership for preserving Kuwait’s heritage through philately
Postage stamps are a living archive that documents the national memory of Kuwait -- Sheikha Hala
In a heartfelt celebration of heritage and artistry, the Kuwait Philatelic and Numismatic Society honored Sheikha Hala Badr Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with honorary membership, recognizing her dedication to preserving Kuwait’s cultural legacy.
“Postage stamps,” Sheikha Hala remarked, “are a living archive that documents the national memory of Kuwait” — a sentiment echoed by leading voices in the philatelic community.
Sheikha Hala Badr Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah stressed the vital role of postage stamps in preserving a nation’s history and memory, calling for the documentation of Kuwait’s key events and milestones through this unique archival art form.
Speaking on the sidelines of a lecture titled “Postage Stamps: Kuwait’s National Archive”, organized by the Kuwait Philatelic and Numismatic Society in collaboration with the Kuwait National Library, Sheikha Hala praised the lecture’s rich informational content and commended the society’s efforts in safeguarding this national heritage.
She emphasized that a postage stamp is more than just a label—it is a miniature document that immortalizes moments in history. In the era of rapid technological advancement, she called for continuous support to this field to preserve national memory for future generations.
Sheikha Hala also extended her gratitude to the society for granting her and the Director General of the Kuwait National Library, Suhaila Al-Azmi, honorary membership in appreciation of their ongoing support for the society’s events and the promotion of stamp and coin collecting culture in the community.
For his part, the society’s Secretary, Issa Dashti, affirmed that postage stamps serve as artistic and documentary records that highlight Kuwait’s history and achievements. He noted the society’s continued efforts to raise awareness of this art and strengthen its role in preserving national identity.
Dashti explained that stamps are not merely postal tools, but artistic creations that carry historical, cultural, and folkloric messages. He proudly mentioned designing two stamp sets issued in 2023—one for the National Day commemorating the signing of the independence document, and another marking the centennial of the first stamp bearing Kuwait’s name.
He added that he supervised more than seven stamp collections created by society members, underlining that postage stamps act as cultural ambassadors showcasing the country’s identity and heritage to the world.
Dr. Adel Al-Abdulrazzaq, President of the Society, stated that the association comprises about 300 members from within Kuwait and abroad, and serves as the main hub for stamp and coin enthusiasts. He noted that the society welcomes visitors every Tuesday at its diwaniya in the Jabriya Post Office building.
Al-Abdulrazzaq emphasized the society’s commitment to documenting Kuwait’s history through artistic works that reflect pivotal moments, commending its ongoing cooperation with cultural institutions across the country.
Contributing her talent to this national narrative, artist Iman Al-Muslim unveiled three works reflecting Kuwaiti icons and traditions, while fellow designer Jaber Al-Hindal emphasized that only through precision and artistic sensitivity can a stamp truly represent the spirit of a nation.
Visual artist Iman Al-Muslim expressed her pride in contributing to the preservation of Kuwaiti identity through stamp design, noting she created three works depicting prominent Kuwaiti figures and heritage, including the artwork “Sabika” and a piece featuring two girls celebrating National Day.
Board member Jaber Al-Hindal expressed his joy at participating in the lecture, sharing his experience designing stamps that commemorate significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, National Day, and Kuwaiti-European cooperation.
He stressed the importance of precision and artistic sensibility in stamp design to ensure the work reflects the nation at its best and serves as a valuable reference for researchers, hobbyists, and those interested in this field.
