On Wednesday the 12th of November
2014, the Nigerian Federal Government
introduced the new design on theN100
Naira notethat will be officially issued on
the 19th of December.
However, a group is calling an attention
to the occultic symbol that looks like a
Jewish Symbol on thenew Nigerian Naira
note.
In a press statement released by the
Director of Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC), Prof Ishaq Akinlolu, the group
expressed displeasure over the strange
symbol on the note.
The statement reads;
“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.
Can this also be partly responsible for
the viciousness of the Boko Haram
phenomenon?
Many Nigerians believe the symbol has
nothing to do with Israel.