[Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We Trust?
Olubunmi Matory
Bunmi
On Sun, 30 Jul 2000, Mukhtar Dan'Iyan wrote:
> Most Moslems strive to read the Holy Qur'an in the Arabic language in which
> it was originally revealed to the Prophet (pbuh), hence, they are able to
> read Arabic and understand it.
>
> What I should have written is that english and arabic are the two main
> languages which people can read in Nigeria.
>
> M
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Olubunmi Matory" <mat...@fas.harvard.edu>
> To: "Mukhtar Dan'Iyan" <Dan...@prodigy.net>
> Cc: <naij...@egroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2000 11:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We Trust?
>
>
> > Nigerians speak Arabic? I thought Arabic is only a language of liturgy and
> > outside that context most moslem Nigerians don't understand the language.
> > Please, correct me if I'm wrong. Isn't Hausa the language spoken generally
> > in the North?
> > Bunmi
> >
> > On Sat, 29 Jul 2000, Mukhtar Dan'Iyan wrote:
> >
> > > Babs,
> > > The two main languages spoken/understood in Nigeria are English and
> > > Arabic.
> > > Having Arabic on Naira notes is neither a good or a bad idea, it
> > > is just a practical one.
> > > As for joining OIC, there is nothing wrong with the organization
> > > per se, however, since Nigeria is a secular state it should not have
> > > aligned with any religious body. In any case, OIC is just a body
> > > where countries with large Islamic populations interact, it is no
> > > different from G-7, G-77 or what have you.
> > > Please stop letting Islam scare you.
> > >
> > > M
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In naij...@egroups.com, "Babs " <olalekan@n...> wrote:
> > > > Well, Mukhtar,
> > > > I am open to learning new things. Since our common language is
> > > > English, I would have thought we would stick to it, especially when
> > > > it comes to something as universal as the Naira. As you'll agree,
> > > > most Nigerians cannot read/write Arabic. It's inclusion in our
> > > > currency is suspect, in my opinion. Indeed, is it not possible that
> > > > this is another evidence that the core north had an agenda to
> > > > islamise the country? We broke diplomatic relations with Israel,
> > > > joined the OIC, and inscribed whatever in arabic on our currency.
> > > Of
> > > > late, the northern states have gone sharia-crazy. If you asked me,
> > > > this does not reflect a multi-religious culture.
> > > >
> > > > Olalekan
> > > >
> > > > -------------------
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In naij...@egroups.com, "Mukhtar Dan'Iyan" <DanIyan@p...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > > For better or worse Arabic is part of Nigeria's cultural
> > > heritage.
> > > > > Over the course of hundreds of years people of all extractions in
> > > > > Nigeria have spoken Arabic, while the influence of Islam is
> > > without
> > > > a
> > > > > doubt a contributing factor to the use of Arabic, not all Arabic
> > > > > speakers have been muslims (especially in the North), and not all
> > > > > Muslims have been arabic speakers.
> > > > >
> > > > > Furhtermore, what do you think the arabic words on the currency
> > > > mean?
> > > > > Hint, they do not mean anything that gives one religion advantage
> > > > > over another, except if you argue that the English inscriptions
> > > on
> > > > > Naira notes promote christianity...
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > M
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In naij...@egroups.com, "Babs " <olalekan@n...> wrote:
> > > > > > But, Mukhtar,
> > > > > > Are you trying to say that arabic inscriptions on our money is
> > > > > > alright? If yes, on what basis? What in our history justifies
> > > > your
> > > > > > view?
> > > > > > I still find it difficult to understand why we cannot separate
> > > > > > between religion and the State.
> > > > > > In this case, it is the dog that acquires the bad name of its
> > > own
> > > > > > accord.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > olalekan
> > > > > > --------------------
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In naij...@egroups.com, "Mukhtar Dan'Iyan" <DanIyan@p...>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > Kai. This logic is like the logic that made one OPC man state
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "They are trying to give a dog a bad name in order to clip
> > > its
> > > > > > > wings..."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > M<
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > --- In naij...@egroups.com, Adey Oyenuga <adey@a...> wrote:
> > > > > > > > Lawyer Sues Federal Government Over Arabic Words On Naira
> > > > > > > > P.M. News (Lagos)
> > > > > > > > July 28, 2000
> > > > > > > > By Lanre Babalola
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Lagos - A lawyer has sued the Federal Government over the
> > > > > > continued
> > > > > > > > inscription of Arabic words on the Nigerian currency notes,
> > > > > > > describing
> > > > > > > > it as "unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null and void."
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > In an application filed at the Lagos High Court on July 19,
> > > > > > > Barrister
> > > > > > > > Hya' Osahon Ihenyen is suing the President, the Attorney-
> > > > > General
> > > > > > > of
> > > > > > > > the Federation, the Senate President and Speaker of the
> > > House
> > > > of
> > > > > > > > Representatives. Also mentioned as defendants in the suit
> > > are
> > > > > the
> > > > > > > > Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the
> > > Nigeria
> > > > > > > Security
> > > > > > > > Minting and Printing Company Limited.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > In suit no FHCL/C5/739/2000, Barrister Ihenyen is seeking a
> > > > > > > declaration
> > > > > > > > that the continued writing of Arabic language on the Naira
> > > > > notes
> > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > He is also seeking an order stopping forthwith the
> > > continued
> > > > > > > inscription
> > > > > > > > of Arabic language on the Naira. Barrister Ihenyen declared
> > > > > that
> > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > aforesaid inscription is a violation of his fundamental
> > > human
> > > > > > > rights to
> > > > > > > > freedom from discrimination.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Speaking with P.M.News after filing the suit, Barrister
> > > > Ihenyen
> > > > > > > said
> > > > > > > > the main reason behind the action was to protest alleged
> > > > > > government
> > > > > > > > discrimination against the minorities in the South.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Copyright (c) 2000 P.M. News.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
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Mukhtar Dan'Iyan
Start a petition to remove Arabic from the Naira, if it bothers you that
much. I do not want to make this an issue, as all I was doing is explaining
the rationale that led to the inclusion of Arabic on the Naira. If you are
frustrated, take it out on those who approved for it to be on it, not me...
M
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ide ju Ogwugwu" <ogwu...@hotmail.com>
To: <Dan...@prodigy.net>; <mat...@fas.harvard.edu>
Cc: <naij...@egroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2000 10:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We Trust?
> Alex:
>
> I have not accused you or claimed that you asked any
> person to scribe Arabic words on our currency. I am
> old enough to know that you have no power or are in
> any position to issue such an order.
>
> My argument is against your wilful, disingenuous,
> and discourteous revision of the subject matter
> and our political history. You started by making
> many spurious claims in the guise of logical
> rationalizations. Go back and re-read your arguments
> with Sister Bunmi and others on this subject. She
> caught you on one bogous statement, then you changed
> your defence to another watery statement knowing
> fully well that you were not forthcoming with the
> truth or being unbiased. For someone who wears
> democracy and human rights front and back, I had expected more from you.
>
> Read some of your statements on this subject:
> -------------------------------------------------
> 1. For better or worse Arabic is part of Nigeria's
> cultural heritage. Over the course of hundreds
> of years people of all extractions in Nigeria
> have spoken Arabic
> 2. The two main languages spoken/understood in
> Nigeria are English and Arabic. Having Arabic
> on Naira notes is neither a good or a bad idea,
> it is just a practical one.
> 3. What I should have written is that english and arabic
> are the two main languages which people can read in
> Nigeria.
> 4. OIC is just a body where countries with large Islamic
> populations interact, it is no different from G-7,
> G-77 or what have you........
> -----------------------------------------------
>
> Alex, which of the above statements did you make under
> duress? If none, I sincerely pity you.
>
> Netters, who wants to be a millionaire? Answer the
> following questions:
> 1. OIC means
> (a) Organization of Igbo Counties
> (b) Organization of countries with large moslem
> populations
> (c) Organization of Islamic Countries
> (d) Organization of Irish Companies.
> 2. One of these langauges is not adopted as the official
> languages in any state in Nigeria:
> (a) Yoruba
> (b) Ibibio
> (c) Hausa
> (e) Arabic
> 3. The Nigerian Naira has some Arabic words inscribed
> on it for the following reasons:
> (a) Nigeria is an Arabic country
> (b) Arabic is Nigeria's 2nd official language
> (c) Having Arabic on the Naira makes it stronger
> at the international market
> (d) None of the above.
>
> Winners will be announced tomorrow.
>
> Thanks and let peace reign in Nigeria and on Naijanet.
>
> Ide ju Ogwugwu 1 [of my own village only]
> ----------------------------------------
>
>
> From: "Mukhtar Dan'Iyan" <Dan...@prodigy.net>
> Subject: Re: [Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We Trust?
> Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 18:17:49 -0500
>
> Iyke,
>
> I am neither the person who asked for Arabic to be placed on the Naira
> note, nor am I the person who believes it must be on it.
> All I am doing is trying to explain why it is on Naira notes, at least
> from my understanding of the situation.
> As far as I am concerned, it can be removed tomorrow @ 2.14pm, it
makes
> no difference to me whatsoever if it stays or goes.
>
> M
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
Mukhtar Dan'Iyan
NO offence taken LOL...
<M
--- In naij...@egroups.com, "Ide ju Ogwugwu" <ogwugwu1@h...> wrote:
> Hello Alex:
>
> Hey man, you don't have to take offense at me.
> Never! All I have done was to catalogue your
> statements on the subject matter so that netters
> will get a clearer understanding of your own
> brand of democracy, forthrightness, and so on.
>
> Alex, talk is cheap. You know where your heart
> lies. Stop pretending about it. Stop giving
> others bad names with respect to religion on
> this net. Stop deceiving netters about your
> religious tolerance and religious enlightenment.
> It's sometimes good for the wind to blow. This
> is one of those occasions.
>
> Thanks and let peace reign in Nigeria and on Naijanet.
>
> Ide ju Ogwugwu 1 [of my own village only]
> -----------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
> From: "Mukhtar Dan'Iyan" <DanIyan@p...>
> Subject: Re: [Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We
Trust?
> Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 22:45:21 -0500
>
> Chief,
> Start a petition to remove Arabic from the Naira, if it bothers
you that
> much. I do not want to make this an issue, as all I was doing is
explaining
> the rationale that led to the inclusion of Arabic on the Naira. If
you are
> frustrated, take it out on those who approved for it to be on it,
not me...
>
> M
>
>
______________________________________________________________________
Ide ju Ogwugwu
How many Nigerian words (from Hausa to Ebu dialect)
have appeared in any currency in the middle east?
So, english language is now a christian language?
Chei, I go die o! Some people should have their
degrees withdrawn without further delay. So you
are defending the use of Arabic words on our Naira
just because Arabic is an Islamic language?
Ok' lest I forget. Nigeria has accepted English as
its official language. It's documented in our statute
books, since the amalgamation of 1914. The English colonized Nigeria and
imposed their language (english) on Nigerians. Nigerians are not the only
victims of
British colonization. The language of christianity
is not english. The first Bible was written in Hebrew.
The Greek version followed. Then Latin. Just like
moslems who want to make true career out of Islam
study Arabic, christian primates and scholars have
to learn Hebrew, Greek, or Latin to be able to
understand the Bible better. English is not the
language of the Bible. It has never been.
Taiwo, we do not speak English in Nigeria because
it's a christian language. Had France or Japan
colonized us, we would have been speaking French
or Japanese. And so on and so forth. Would you have
also argued that French/Japanese is christian language?
Look at north Africa. They were colonized by Arabs.
That's why most of them have chosen Arabic as their
official language. Even in Morroco and Algeria, for
example, French is spoken side by side with Arabic.
Does speaking French make them christian nations?
Taiwo, look for another reason to be angry. It must
not be on your erronous assumption that English is
christian language. I am done with you.
Thanks and let peace reign in Nigeria and on Naijanet.
Ide ju Ogwugwu 1 [of my own village only]
-----------------------------------------
From: "Taiwo, Risikat (RTAI)" <RT...@chevron.com>
Subject: RE: [Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We Trust?
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 00:37:46 -0700
What has Arabic on notes got to do with the use of money? If we are to look
t it critically, English language denotes Christianity language and most of
what that is written on naira note is purely English
so ki lan gbe tan gbin?
For once people should try or learn to tolerate and appreciate other eople's
opinion.
English is a borrowed language it is not our orefathers' language.
RAT
________________________________________________________________________
Hakeem K. Johnson
1. Mukhtar is right in saying that Arabic has been used in Nigeria
(especially Northern Nigeria) for centuries before the advent of
English language. As a language, Arabic was probably not as widespread
in use, as the use of Arabic letters in writing indigenous languages.
Many writers in Hausa (and I believe Kanuri) wrote *using* Arabic
alphabets in the same way that writers in many other Nigerian
languages use Latin alphabets. I believe the use of the Latin
alphabets in Hausa writings is relatively recent.
2. The colonial government recognised this widespread use of Arabic in
Nigeria. And up till at least 1917, English and Arabic were used side
by side by the colonial governments in many parts of Northern Nigeria
(See Rahman Doi's book on Islam in a Multi-Religious society: Nigeria
as a case study for a photocopy of a Native Court proceeding in Ilorin
of 1917).
3. My understanding is that the Arabic letters on the Naira simply
states the face-value of the particular Naira note.. In the same way
that the Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, ...) on our notes state the same
thing. Furthermore, I understand that the Naira face-value was written
with Arabic letters because of many of our people who are more
conversant with the Arabic letters than they are with English (at
least, at independence).
4. Lastly, may I ask those who want to get rid of the Arabic
alphabets, whether they also want to get rid of the Arabic
numerals.....'cos, it seems to me that there is really more to this
issue than they are letting out to the public.
Peace to All,
Hakeem K. Johnson
P.S. I hope those who are more knowledgeable on this issue can also
say a word or two, so we can all benefit.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ide ju Ogwugwu <ogwu...@hotmail.com>
To: Dan...@prodigy.net <Dan...@prodigy.net>; mat...@fas.harvard.edu
<mat...@fas.harvard.edu>
Cc: naij...@egroups.com <naij...@egroups.com>
Date: 31 July 2000 20:22
Subject: Re: [Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We
Trust?
>Thanks and let peace reign in Nigeria and on Naijanet.
>
>Ide ju Ogwugwu 1 [of my own village only]
>----------------------------------------
>
>
>From: "Mukhtar Dan'Iyan" <Dan...@prodigy.net>
>Subject: Re: [Naijanet] Re: Arabic Words On Naira -- In Allah We
Trust?
>Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 18:17:49 -0500
>
>Iyke,
>
> I am neither the person who asked for Arabic to be placed on the
Naira
>note, nor am I the person who believes it must be on it.
> All I am doing is trying to explain why it is on Naira notes, at
least
>from my understanding of the situation.
> As far as I am concerned, it can be removed tomorrow @ 2.14pm, it
makes
>no difference to me whatsoever if it stays or goes.
>
>M
>
>_____________________________________________________________________
___