what it termed a Jewish symbol on the country's new N100 note.
The Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement
released yesterday November 23rd, alleged the insertion of a Jewish
symbol into the new currency, demanding explanation from the Federal
Government.
"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?
--GistReel
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