(MURIC), has released a statement expressing
concern over what it termed a Jewish symbol on
Nigeria’s new N100 note which was unveiled
recently.
The Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola,
in the statement issued yesterday November
23rd, alleged the insertion of a Jewish symbol
into the new currency, demanding explanation
from the Federal Government. See the statement
after the cut...
“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)."
Like This Article? Please Like Us On FACEBOOK
No comments:
Post a Comment