Muslim groups warn CBN not to expunge Arabic inscriptions from new naira notes

SEVERAL prominent Nigerian Muslims and Islamic groups have all called upon the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to remove the Arabic inscriptions on the naira under its planned redesign programme due to take place next month.

CBN governor Godwin Emefiele has announced plans to redesign the naira, promising that the new notes will be made available as from December 5. He pointed out that the N100, N200, N500, and N1000 notes will be affected by the redesign but the development has already created tensions as several Nigerians have asked the CBN to expunge the Arabic inscription on the new naira notes as it is not Nigeria’s official language.

Reacting to these suggestions, Islamic group Muslim Rights Concern (Muric) said the Arabic inscription, also known as Ajami, should be retained on all naira denominations, stressing that their removal would cause division within the country. Likewise, former CBN governor Lamido Sanusi had said the apex bank would not remove the Arabic inscription from the new naira notes.

Also speaking on the matter, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), said the Arabic inscriptions should be retained in the spirit of brotherhood. Describing those calling for the Ajami to be expunged as religious bigots, AYCF president, Yerima Shettima, said that most northerners could not read the English language, hence the inscriptions should be retained.

Mr Shettima said: “Most of our people in the north understand Arabic, so for us to move together and in the spirit of brotherhood, it’s not a bad idea to allow the inscription. Most of the people advocating for the removal of the inscription are ethnic bigots that create a story where there is no need for such.

“Over time, this inscription has been there and does not in any way imply an Islamisation agenda, it’s just a figure and I don’t know why this issue is coming up now. I don’t think it’s part of the government’s policy but biased-minded people are thinking in that light. In the spirit of oneness and brotherhood, the inscription should remain.

“Personally, I have no problem because I can read, write and understand any figure on the naira but most people in the northern part of the country have issues understanding the other side of the naira. In the north, we have people who only understand Islamic knowledge, so to carry them along and make them feel they belong to the society, our forefathers initiated that.

Social affairs commentator, Deji Adeyanju, wondered, however, about the correlation between Nigeria and the Arab world that would warrant Arabic language on the country’s legal tender. He said it would have been preferable that a Nigerian language was inscribed on the naira instead of Arabic.

Mr Adeyanju added:  “I don’t think the debate around the Arabic inscription on the naira notes is a big deal because English is also a language. However, it would have been preferable if it was a Nigerian language that is on the naira instead of Arabic because what is the correlation between Nigeria and Arab? Is Nigeria an Arab nation?

“I don’t understand the correlation between our legal tender and Arabic inscription but it should not be a big thing that people begin to give religious connotations because it’s just a language after all. I think CBN should be looking towards having our local language on our legal tender."