Commemorative postage stamps issued on Aga Khan awards night

VISHAL SHARMA
INDIA (Agra), 28 Nov. The Indin Department of Post issued two postage stamps and first day covers on Sunday at the Agra Fort, to commemorate the 9th Aga Khan Awards for Architecture. The stamps were released by the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Shaqeel Ahmed, in the presence of The Aga Khan, hereditary spiritual leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The stamps, in the denomination of 15 rupees each, depict the Agra Fort. They offer views of various architectural features, including the Khas Mahal (Private palace), which was built entirely by Shah Jahan in 1637.


The Award, which has a triennial prize fund of US$ 500,000, is the world's largest architectural award. The Awards ceremony was held on the 27th of November 2004 in the gardens of Humayun's Tomb in Delhi.
Addressing the extended function of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture held in Agra Fort for the release of two stamps commemorating the Award ceremony on Sunday, the Union Culture and Information & Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said that the night opening of the Tajmahal was a prelude to the India visit of Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia sect of Muslims.
Later, the Union minister of state for Communications & IT Dr. Shakeel Ahmed released two postal stamps and first day covers marking the ninth Aga Khan Awards held for the first time in a non-Islamic Country, India. Addressing the assembled guests, the minister said that the depiction of Agra Fort on these commemorative stamps signifies the influence of Islamic arts on the Indian Architecture, of which, the Agra Fort is a prominent example.
This extended function of the Aga Khan awards shall continue for two more days with seminars of international architecture being held in Hotel Mughal Sheraton, Agra.
(UNITED NEWS NETWORK)

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