Naira redesign: MURIC asks CBN to retain Arabic on all currency denominations 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to retain the Arabic inscription in the proposed new notes. 

In a statement issued by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Tuesday says: “MURIC hereby expresses its support for the project with the proviso that all the denominations must contain Arabic inscriptions just as they had been before Arabic Ajami was conspiratorially and unjustly removed from some denominations.”

Akintola recalled that the removal of Arabic Ajami from naira notes in the past sparked an outcry by Muslims and caused division within the country.

He includes in his statement that only its return to all denominations can heal the wound.

“In 2005, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo fired the first salvo against the naira note during his eight-year rule as a civilian president (1999–2007). Obasanjo removed the Arabic Ajami from 5, 10, 20 and 50 naira denominations.”