The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked the FG to
withdraw from circulation, the N100 notes printed during the administration of
former Pres. Jonathan.
In a statement by Ishaq Akintola, it's director, the group
alleged that the N100 notes of Jonathan government were inferior and had no
Arabic Ajami inscriptions.
Akintola claimed that the removal of the inscription was a
form of “ethnic cleansing” aimed at discouraging the learning and use of Arabic
language in Nigeria.
Ajami refers to Arabic alphabets used for writing African
languages, especially those Hausa and Swahili. It is considered an Arabic
derived African writing system.
Since African languages involve phonetic sounds and systems
different from the Arabic language, there have often been adaptations of the
Arabic script to transcribe them.
MURIC wondered why Ajami was removed from some notes with
the assumption of office by a Christain president. “It was not the first time
this would happen…
Arabic inscriptions which have always been on Nigerian
currency since independence were unceremoniously removed in 2005 from N5, N10,
N20 and N50 denominations during the reign of Olusegun Obasanjo,” the statement
read.
“But Nigerians need to know that this move was calculated to
hurt the Muslim population and may end up a disservice to the nation.
.
.
The average northerner cannot read any other script except
Arabic Ajami and anyone who wants to communicate with him effectively must use
the Ajami, not even writings in Hausa language can help in this matter.
Millions of northerners have therefore been marginalized by
removing Arabic Ajami. Currencies worldwide are designed to suit each nation’s
culture and history. Incidentally, Nigeria is a multireligions entity.
In this case, therefore, our cultural and religious
homogeneity should be the criteria, particularly when designing our banknotes,
our stamps, etc. We are all taxpayers and to that extent we all deserve
representation.”
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