A copper lantern embellished with intricately pierced designs casts patterns of dappled, multi-coloured light on this new stamp celebrating two of Islam’s most important religious holidays: Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Fast Breaking) and Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).

Ornamented lanterns – known as fanous – carry special meaning during the festivals, which this year begin around early May and July, respectively. Symbols of hope and guidance, they burn along streets and in homes, mosques and businesses during Eid celebrations.

Light is a prominent symbol in many religious traditions. In Islam, one of the names given to God is Al-Nur, which means “the Light” – and Eid lanterns often contain inscriptions from the Verse of Light (Ayat al-Nur) in the holy Qur’an (24:35). A phrase that frequently appears is “light upon light” (nurun ‘ala nur) – a reference to God’s light illuminating heaven and earth as divine guidance for all humankind.

The fourth issue in an ongoing series marking the two Eid festivals, this evocative stamp glows with layers of texture and colour that were created through a montage of photography and illustration by Richard Nalli-Petta.