LONDON: Stars of “Game of Thrones” will appear on a new collection of stamps to celebrate Britain’s contribution to the fantasy series, Royal Mail announced.
Ten characters are pictured in the souvenir series unveiled on Wednesday, set against dramatic scenes from the hit US show.
Highlighting the prominence of British stars among the cast, the stamps feature actors Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, and Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) among others.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, from Denmark, and American Peter Dinklage are the two actors included who hail from elsewhere.
One of the stamps features an image of the series’ famous Iron Throne.
An additional five stamps feature non-human characters, including dragons and dire wolves, as part of the series which will be available from January 23.
Filmed largely in Northern Ireland, the fantasy epic has become a global phenomenon since its debut in 2010.
The latest seventh series has also featured British pop sensation Ed Sheeran, who did not make it into the Royal Mail collection.
The television series has won 38 Emmys, more than any other fictional show in history, and one Golden Globe award.
“Game of Thrones” is also a nominee for best drama series at this year’s Golden Globes, competing against shows including “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Crown.”
Britain celebrates ‘Game of Thrones’ with new stamps
Britain celebrates ‘Game of Thrones’ with new stamps
Makkah museum displays world’s largest Qur’an
MAKKAH: The Holy Qur’an Museum at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah is showcasing a monumental handwritten copy of the Holy Qur’an, recognized as the largest Qur’an of its kind in the world.
The manuscript measures 312 cm by 220 cm and comprises 700 pages, earning the museum recognition from Guinness World Records for displaying the world’s largest Qur’an, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The manuscript is a magnified reproduction of a historic Qur’an dating back to the 16th century, the SPA stated.
The original copy measures 45 cm by 30 cm, with the chapters written primarily in Thuluth script, while Surah Al-Fatiha was penned in Naskh, reflecting the refined artistic choices and calligraphic diversity of the era.
The Qur’an is a unique example of Arabic calligraphy, gilding and bookbinding, showcasing Islamic art through intricate decorations, sun-shaped motifs on the opening folio, and elaborately designed frontispiece and title pages that reflect a high level of artistic mastery.
The manuscript was endowed as a waqf in 1883. Its original version is currently preserved at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, serving as a lasting testament to Muslims’ enduring reverence for the Qur’an and the richness of Islamic arts across the centuries.
