In cooperation with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center
Dubai: As part of its efforts to support biodiversity conservation and uphold the UAE’s cultural heritage, Emirates Post, in partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, issued a new set of commemorative stamps bearing the image of the Stone-Curlew and Houbara Bustard bird species.
The issuance ceremony was held at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center headquarters in Jumeirah, Dubai, and attended by H.E. Abdulla M. Alashram, CEO of Emirates Post Group; H.E. Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center; and other distinguished officials from both entities.
Highlighting the importance of this initiative to preserve the country’s heritage, H.E. Abdulla Hamdan Bin Dalmook said: “As one of the entities dedicated to upholding and preserving the unique heritage of the UAE, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center has partnered with several local institutions to provide consultations and services, as well as launch projects that exhibit our values and customs as a nation.”
Bin Dalmook added: “We are pleased to collaborate with Emirates Post in issuing this set of commemorative stamps featuring the houbara and curlew birds, following the noble example shown by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This initiative is also in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which encourages the country to support ways that contribute to strengthening our national identity and heritage through meaningful cooperation with various institutions.”
H.E. Abdulla M. Alashram, noted: “The houbara bustard and stone-curlew birds represent an important part of the Emirati heritage, and the issuance of these stamps reflects our commitment to upholding our culture, and to raising awareness in the community to preserving our local wildlife and environment. Our cooperation with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center is a gesture of our dedication to supporting initiatives that preserve the rich legacy of our forefathers through commemorative stamps. This is only one of the many stamp issuances that chronicle the UAE’s heritage and enhance our individual and cultural connections.”
The stamps will be available for purchase on the Emirates Post webshop and at Emirates Post Customer Happiness Centres across the country.
About houbara bustard and stone-curlew:
The houbara bustard and the stone-curlew birds occupy a special place among the UAE founding fathers, who took special care to propagate their increase and spread in the country.
As all the beautiful Emirati beginnings trace back to the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the United Arab Emirates (may he rest in peace), he was behind the spread of the houbara birds. The success story began in 1977, from Al Ain Zoo, with only 7 Asian houbara bustards and with strong will and massive efforts for many years, the breeding projects saw the production of the first captive-bred houbara bustard chick in 1982. More than a quarter of a century later, the number reached more than 53,743 houbara bustards recorded in 2016, and this number continues to increase annually.
The stone curlew is the most common species in the UAE. These migratory birds are found in most parts of the world including Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Arab countries.
The curlew bird is known for its loud wailing sound that can be heard at a great distance. Poets and literary Arabic writers use the curlew’s characteristics in their works, enriching it with similes and metaphors, especially its sound, harmony of its colours and graceful movement.
Curlews usually find habitat in semi-desert, rocky and agricultural areas. One key characteristic of long-billed curlews is that they can swim and fly skillfully. Curlews are active at night, and during the day, they remain sheltered in fear of predators.
