Al-Badr: The Establishment of the Postal Service was a Key Milestone in the Reign of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber

The Kuwait Philatelic and Numismatic Society hosted a cultural and historical lecture at the Kuwait National Library, titled “A Reading of the Book on the Tenth Ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Stamps and Postal Cards.” The event was attended and sponsored by the Society’s Honorary Member, Sheikha Hala Al-Bader Al-Sabah, and its President, Dr. Adel Al-Abdulrazzaq, along with Society members and a number of enthusiasts.

The lecture was delivered by the Society’s Secretary-General, Issa Dashti, who presented the content of his book, which he compiled, prepared, and authored. The book was published by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters in collaboration with the Kuwait Philatelic and Numismatic Society. During his presentation, Dashti discussed the history of postal and fiscal stamps issued during the reign of Kuwait’s tenth ruler, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber, detailing the story, symbolism, and historical significance of each stamp, as well as the aspects of life and events in Kuwait during that era reflected in these issues.

He also addressed stamps bearing the portrait of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber, which were issued after his death, explaining their documentary and historical value. Additionally, he reviewed postal cards featuring his image, whether issued during his rule or after his passing.

Dashti emphasized that postal cards constitute an important source for documenting Kuwait’s history, given the images and information they contain related to various events and milestones in the nation’s development. He stressed that the value of stamps and postal cards extends beyond their appeal to collectors; they serve as historical documents that can be utilized for studies and research across multiple fields.

He noted that studying stamps and postal cards enables researchers to explore significant aspects of Kuwaiti history and extract rich information about the events and transformations the country experienced during different periods, thereby contributing to enhancing knowledge of Kuwait’s history and preserving national memory for future generations.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Dashti expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Sheikha Hala Al-Bader for her patronage and attendance at the event, as well as for her continuous support of the Society’s activities. He affirmed that this support serves as an incentive for Society members to continue their efforts in collecting and documenting stamps, coins, and postal cards, and in highlighting Kuwait’s history through this cultural and documentary hobby.

She added that the study of stamps opens the door to reading history from a different perspective, through the images, symbols, dates, occasions, and issues associated with specific time periods.

She pointed out that the establishment of the postal service in Kuwait during the reign of the late Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber represents a significant milestone, granting stamps and postal issues related to that era special importance from both historical and documentary perspectives.

In conclusion, she praised the efforts made by Society members in collecting, preserving, and documenting these items, affirming that their work constitutes a cultural and historical endeavor worthy of support and encouragement.

It is worth noting that the book contains diverse documentary material, beginning with a foreword by the General Secretariat of the “National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters,” followed by a brief overview of Kuwait’s tenth ruler, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber. The book comprises two main sections; the first covers postal stamps, including fiscal stamps and those bearing the portrait of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber, highlighting the historical and documentary value of these issues.

The second section focuses on postal cards, reviewing a number of key milestones and events in the life of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber and in Kuwait’s history, including but not limited to: