A Muslim body, the Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC), has expressed concern over what it termed a Jewish symbol on
the country’s new N100 note. The new N100 note was unveiled to Nigerians
recently by President Goodluck Jonathan in commemoration of Nigeria’s 100
years’ anniversary. However, MURIC, in a statement by its Director, Professor
Ishaq Akintola, alleged the insertion of a Jewish symbol into the new currency,
demanding explanation from the Federal Government. In a statement issued on
Sunday, Akintola said it was paramount for the government to urgently address
the issue. “The Federal Government, on November 12, 2014 unveiled the new
design for the N100 commemorative centenary banknote which will be officially
issued on December 19. “However, the office of the Muslim Rights Concern has
been inundated with calls for action on the Jewish symbol on the new note.
Nigerian Muslims are complaining that the Arabic writing in Hausa language (the
Ajami script) that read ‘Naira Dari’ (i.e. one hundred naira) on the N100 note
has been removed and replaced with the Jewish symbol, the Star of David. “As a faith-based
human rights organisation which believes in the dialogue option, MURIC is duty
bound to articulate the demands of Nigerian Muslims, particularly on matters
which have to do with imbalance in treatment of the adherents of the different
religions governments (federal or state). “MURIC recalls that Arabic
inscriptions which have always been on Nigerian currency since independence
were unceremoniously removed in 2005 from N5, N10, N20 and N50 denominations.
They remained on N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations. “Nigerian Muslims
regard the latest action, namely, the supplanting of Arabic with Jewish symbol
from the new N100 as a continuation of the campaign of elimination by
substitution against Arabic language and, by implication, against Nigerian
Muslims. “It is well known that a large section of the Nigerian population use
the Arabic Ajami and removing it from the new note will deprive millions of
users of the Arabic Ajami of the ability to recognise, identify and use the new
currency. “Furthermore, putting the Jewish symbol on the new N100 falls short
of international standard, as currencies worldwide are designed to suit each
nation’s culture and history.
“Where does the Jewish symbol fit
in? Which Nigerian community speaks the Jewish language? The insertion of the
Jewish symbol is, therefore, clannish and parochial. It is tainted with
undisguised religious fanaticism. “There is nothing wrong for our president to
like Israel as a nation, but it is another thing entirely to openly and
brazenly promote Zionism at the highest office in this country when we are
still struggling with the last vestiges of colonialism. Nigerian Muslims are
becoming increasingly suspicious and very uncomfortable with the actions and
inactions of President Jonathan.
“Firstly, in spite of the
preponderance of Muslims in the South West, he appointed no single Muslim as
minister in the whole region for almost four years. Secondly, he marginalised
Muslims in the deliberations which took place in the national conference by
appointing a meagre 189 Muslims as against 303 Christians. “Thirdly, Mr
President saturated the security system in Aso Rock with Israeli security
operatives, a nation well known for its animosity towards Muslims. The
supplanting of Arabic language with Jewish symbol is the fourth among
Jonathan’s anti-Muslim policies. “If once is happenstance, if twice is a
coincidence and if the third time is enemy action, what do we call the fourth
time? We are sick and tired of our president’s hatred for us. He openly confronts
Muslims and goads us to challenge him. “But we will not be provoked. Neither
shall we be intimidated by executive maladministration. As apostles of dialogue
and advocates of peaceful coexistence, as tax-payers, voters and citizens of
this country, we hereby ask President Jonathan to explain the Jewish symbol on
Nigeria’s money. “We also demand to know why the presidency could not employ
security experts from neutral countries like Britain or France instead of
Israel, which is a sworn enemy of Muslims. Mr President may also deem it fit to
tell us if there is no correlation between the Israeli security experts in Aso
Rock, the Israeli caught with Nigeria’s N9.3 million arms money in South Africa
and the Jewish symbol on the new N100 note. “Mr President sir, are you not
gradually selling Nigeria to Israel? Are you sure this will not attract the
wrath of Israel’s enemies to our dear country? Can this also be partly
responsible for the viciousness of the Boko Haram phenomenon? “MURIC appeals to
Muslims nationwide to await President Jonathan’s response to the above
questions and to remain calm and law abiding. Islam teaches tolerance (Qur’an
3:134) and obedience to constituted authority (Qur’an 4:59),” the statement
read.
.jpg)