Countries Using the Dirham: UAE and Morocco

The Dirham is the currency name shared by two countries:

1. United Arab Emirates (AED) – UAE Dirham, pegged to USD (1 USD = 3.6725 AED).
2. Morocco (MAD) – Moroccan Dirham, managed float.

Distinction

• Different currencies, different central banks, different exchange rates.
• Not interchangeable.
• Both subdivided into 100 subunits (fils in UAE, centimes in Morocco).

Historical Note

“Dirham” derives from Greek drachma. It was used historically across the Islamic world (Umayyad, Abbasid, Ottoman). Modern UAE and Morocco revived the name post-independence.

No other country currently uses “Dirham” as its primary currency name.