Mahbuba Maqsoodi: First Female Artist on Germany’s Christmas Stamp

Mahbuba Maqsoodi is an Afghan artist living in Munich. She is known for her vibrant artwork and recently gained recognition for her Christmas postage stamp design in Germany. This stamp features her artwork of “heavenly light” and is special because it marks the first time a living female artist has been chosen for a Christmas stamp in Germany.

Maqsoodi was born in Herat, Afghanistan. As a young adult, she was a secondary school teacher. After her sister was tragically murdered in 1979, she fled Afghanistan with her husband and eventually settled in Germany as a refugee in 1994. Since then, she has become a German citizen but still connects deeply with her Afghan roots.

In Munich, she began designing stained glass windows for churches. One of her notable projects is at the Tholey Benedictine Abbey, Germany’s oldest monastery. Here, she created 29 stained glass windows, contributing significantly to the church’s artistic revival.

Maqsoodi identifies as a Muslim and a humanist. She aims to create art that speaks to everyone, regardless of their beliefs. Her Christmas window at Tholey Abbey became a focus for the stamp. The artwork was adapted for the stamp by graphic designers.

Maqsoodi hopes her stamp will inspire reflection on “heavenly light.” She also wishes it encourages people to visit Tholey Abbey to experience her windows’ full impact. Additionally, she wants her journey to motivate young artists, especially those from crisis areas, to embrace their cultural backgrounds and express themselves through art.