Many Nigerians have continued to express their reservations over the new naira notes. According to some of them, the retention of the sign is an indication that Islam has a strong grip in the scheme of things in the country despite the fact that the country is regarded as a secular nation.
For the sake of clarity, the proper term for this ‘Arabic sign’ is Ajami. It is an Arabic-derived African writing system. The Hausa people used the Ajami script to write in Hausa language — hence the confusion that it is ‘Arabic’.
According to the Cable, a typical northerner can read Ajami even if they do not understand the Latin script that is used for English. But most northerners are versed in Ajami, having undergone Arabic-based Quranic education as children.
At the Federal High Court yesterday . In the main my prayer is that the court should expunge Arabic inscription on subsequent Naira notes. So far I cannot ascertain if the redesigned Naira notes have Arabic inscription , I am watching . pic.twitter.com/Wlk28juVtm
— malcolm omirhobo (@MalcolmInfiniti) November 23, 2022
Since Ajami script is in Hausa language and is not a symbol of Islam or any religion, many will argue that no law has been violated.
However, the federal government, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and attorney-general of the federation (AGF) are battling with a suit filed by Malcolm Omirhobo, a Lagos-based lawyer, seeking the removal of the inscriptions from naira notes because they “represent Islam”.
“It’s only colour change”: Nigerians react as photos of the new naira notes trends
Meanwhile, some Nigerians on social media have reacted to the unveiling of the new currency by the federal government.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, November 23, unveiled the new naira notes before the federal executive council (FEC) meeting at the state house, Abuja.
The new notes presented to the public are the 1000, 500 and 200 naira notes.
