Haj Commemoration 1397 A.H. (November 21, 1977)

The stamp is of square format. The main feature of stamp is the Holy “Khana-e-Kaba” (House of God) which is printed centrally in multi colour against a green background.
In reverent commemoration of Haj which is an obligation for every Muslim adult in full possession of his faculties having means and resources to perform the same at least once in his life time, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of 65 Paisa denomination on Haj (1397 A.H.)
Every year millions of Muslims from all over the world congregate in the House of God in the Holy City of Mecca, and bivouac in the valley of Mina and the plain of Arafat to perform Haj. The duty of Haj was imposed upon the Muslims to confirm the worship of one God and to attach them to this one Centre where they are required to assemble annually and perform the Circuit round the Holy Kaba clad in the simple pilgrim’s garb and mix together without any distinction of nationality, race, colour or status. The annual pilgrimage is thus a visible manifestation of the universal brotherhood of Islam.
During the performance of the various rituals of Haj, a pilgrim gives up his regular work, forgoes amenities and sacrifices the comforts of life. He puts on the simplest unstitched dress called ‘ Ahram ‘ avoids all indecent thoughts and acts and strives whole-heartedly towards the ideals laid down in Islam—complete surrender to the will of God and a glowing consciousness that his prayers and sacrifices, his life and death are all for God. He runs between Safa and Marwa and like a moth whirling round a flame runs round the Holy Kaba.