Flag
Photo credit: David E. Starke
Accession Number: C.2021.37.21
Dimensions: 34 in X 58 1/2 in
Dimensions (Metric): 86.36 cm X 147.32 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 86.36 cm X 147.32 cm
Sources: Aziz Ahsan, Sadaf Ahsan
Credit Line: Gift of Aziz, Sadaf, Shahzad, Noreen, Leena, and the Ahsan family
Description
American flag, worn and tattered. The fabric has split between some of the red and white stripes on the flag's right side and its ends are frayed.
American flag, worn and tattered. The fabric has split between some of the red and white stripes on the flag's right side and its ends are frayed.
Historical Notes
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Aziz Ahsan—an attorney from Hopewell Junction, NY—was at the post office on Church Street in lower Manhattan purchasing “Eid Greetings” stamps. The stamps, which had been issued by the United States Postal Service on September 1, 2001, commemorated two important Muslim festivals: Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, marking the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. Ahsan had petitioned in his local area for publication of a Muslim-themed postage stamp several years prior. Excited that his efforts had led to this historic outcome, he consequently purchased over a thousand dollars' worth of stamps that morning with the intent of distributing sheets through his personal network.
Shortly after Ahsan had exited the post office and arrived at 1 Broadway, where he worked for the law firm Kenyon & Kenyon, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower. Fire marshals in the building instructed tenants to evacuate. Prior to doing so, Ahsan grabbed his laptop, briefcase, and thick ream of Eid stamps. As he walked north along Church Street, he was caught in a deluge of debris from the collapse of the South Tower. Dazed but alive, Ahsan made it home later that day. That evening, the family hung this American flag outside their house as a display of patriotism.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Aziz Ahsan—an attorney from Hopewell Junction, NY—was at the post office on Church Street in lower Manhattan purchasing “Eid Greetings” stamps. The stamps, which had been issued by the United States Postal Service on September 1, 2001, commemorated two important Muslim festivals: Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, marking the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. Ahsan had petitioned in his local area for publication of a Muslim-themed postage stamp several years prior. Excited that his efforts had led to this historic outcome, he consequently purchased over a thousand dollars' worth of stamps that morning with the intent of distributing sheets through his personal network.
Shortly after Ahsan had exited the post office and arrived at 1 Broadway, where he worked for the law firm Kenyon & Kenyon, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower. Fire marshals in the building instructed tenants to evacuate. Prior to doing so, Ahsan grabbed his laptop, briefcase, and thick ream of Eid stamps. As he walked north along Church Street, he was caught in a deluge of debris from the collapse of the South Tower. Dazed but alive, Ahsan made it home later that day. That evening, the family hung this American flag outside their house as a display of patriotism.
