The spiritual leader of Qadiriyya sect, Sheikh Qaribullah Sheikh Nasiru Kabara, has given the reason why he is against the rumoured removal of Arabic inscriptions, also known as ‘Ajami’ on Nigerian currency.
The revered Islamic cleric initially made the call at this year’s Maukibi, held on Saturday, following the rumour that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, would remove the Ajami inscription in the currency redesign to be released January next year.
However, there is no announcement by the CBN that it would remove the Arabic inscriptions on the currency as part of its new money policy.
But, Shiekh Qaribullah, in a press conference to mark the end of the 72nd annual Maukibi celebration, held at his residence on Wednesday, said the Ajami inscription had been a source of communication for over two centuries in Nigeria.
According to him, even when the colonial masters came to Nigeria, they found Northern region of the country communicating with Ajami writing and did not abolish it.
He argued that since the colonial masters did not abolish the practice of using Ajami, there is no point that the CBN would move to remove it.
The Sheikh added that the Ajami was used before Nigeria’s independence in political and socioeconomic life of the people of Northern Nigeria.
“Though, they are saying it is rumour, whether it is true or rumour, it is a duty-bound on me to speak out about an issue that i feel it is right to speak.
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“There is no point to remove the Ajami inscription on our currency. In fact, the Ajami constitutes the smaller part of the inscriptions on our currency. It has a long history and has been used for many years.
“Even when the colonial masters came to, they did not abolish it. They still allow people in the north to continue using it as a means of communication in our political and socioeconomic life,” he said.
Sheikh Qaribullah gave alaso gave the brief history of the Qadiriyya House in Kano, saying it was founded by Sheikh Umar Mallam Kabara about 200 years ago.
According to Sheikh Qaribullah, Sheikh Mallam Kabara hailed from Tumbuktu, Mali, the then Islamic headquarters of West Africa, called Bilad Tukrurur, meaning Kasar Hausa in local parlance.
He narrated that the Bilad Tukrurur then comprised of countries such as Nigeria, Mali, Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon and Senegal.
Sheikh Qaribullah said all these countries are considered as one county because of their similarities in the practice of Islamic religion with the population of about 400 million people all together.
He continued that it was during the reign of Sheikh Usman Bin-Fodio that late Sheikh Mallam Kabara relocated to Nigeria, Kano and formed the Qadiriyya House.
Mallam Kabara, according to Sheikh Qaribullah, fought many jihads with Sheikh Usman Bin-Fodio before he later settled in Kano.
“That is how the House began and the lineage continued until it reached out father, late Sheikh Muhammad Nasiru Kabara until his death about 26 years ago.
“Now the leadership is conferred on me and we are trying to continue and build on the legacies established by our forefathers, that is to continue working for the propagation of Islam,” he said.
On the Maukibi, the revered leader thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for sending delegation to grace the occasion every year.
He also expressed gratitude to the governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for his contribution towards the success of the annual event since his time as deputy governor up to the time he became a governor.
He also thanked all an sundry for contributing towards the success of the Maukibi, which he started with few attendants that did not pass 30 people but now receivesmillions participants.
Sheikh Qaribullah explained that the Maukibi is practiced to remember the contribution of late Sheikh Jilani towards the propagation of Islam, especially in Africa, who lived about 1,000 years ago.
The spiritual leader noted that remembering past Ulamas and copying their lifestyle is enjoined in Islam and that is the essence of organising the Maukibi where the Qadiriyya followers would gather at a place to listen to lectures about the history of the Ulamas and other religious supplications and prayers are also performed.
