Dirham facts for kids

The Dirham is a type of currency used in several Arab countries. It's like the dollar or euro, but for different nations!

You can find the Dirham being used as money in places like:

• The Moroccan dirham in Morocco.
• The United Arab Emirates dirham in the UAE.
• It's also a smaller part of other currencies:
  • 1/1000 of the Libyan dinar in Libya.
  • 1/100 of the Qatari riyal in Qatar.
  • 1/10 of the Jordanian dinar in Jordan.
• In Tajikistan, the dirham (spelled 'diram') is 1/100 of their money, the Tajikistani somoni.

Where Did the Dirham Come From?

The word "dirham" has a long history! It comes from an old Greek coin called the Drachm. Long ago, the Byzantine Empire controlled areas like the Levant and traded with Arabia. They used the Drachm coin, which became well-known there even before Islam began.

Later, around the end of the 7th century, the Dirham became an important Islamic currency. These coins often had the name of the ruler and a religious verse written on them. The Dirham was used in many countries around the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain. It was even used as money in parts of Europe between the 10th and 12th centuries.

Other Similar Money Names

You might notice other currencies with similar names.

• The Armenian dram is a currency in Armenia. Its name also comes from the same Greek word as the Dirham.
• The dinar is another type of money used in many Muslim countries. Its name comes from the Romans.

Images for kids

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  Silver Dirham of Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz from 718–719 CE

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  Silver dirham of Yazid II made in 721–722 CE

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  Silver Dirham of Marwan II ibn Muhammad from 749–745 CE

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  Silver Dirham of As-Saffah from 754–758 CE

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  Silver Dirham of Al-Hadi made in 786–787 CE in al-Haruniya

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  Silver dirham of Al-Mu'tasim, made at al-Muhammadiya in 836–837 CE

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  One of the first silver coins of the Umayyad Caliphate. It still looked like Sassanid coins and was made for al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf.

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  A later silver dirham from the Umayyad Caliphate, made at Balkh in 729–730 CE (AH 111)

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  Silver coins found in Lublin-Czechów. This group has 214 silver dirhams made between 711-712 and 882-883 CE. It is at the Lublin Museum.

See also

In Spanish: Dírham para niños