Muslim Body Alleges Jewish Symbol On New N100 Note (PHOTO)
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.
It said its office had been inundated with calls by those who had observed the symbol.
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 organization 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.
You can also send your articles and stories to admin@ackcity.net
Be Our Fan On Facebook
Be Our Fan On Facebook
Get updates as they come via;
BB: 2924A048 BB Channel Pin: C00352CD2
WhatsApp: +2348034463786
No comments