To keep it the Persian Gulf

Changing the name will be a very significant blow to the Persian identity


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To keep it the Persian Gulf
by Ben Madadi
07-May-2008
 

This website, and many other Iranian ones, have for some time already been inundated by blogs and threads about a possible danger, the danger that the name for the gulf that is located in the Middle East, south of Iran, to be named Arabian Gulf, from its historical name of Persian Gulf.

The concern is indeed genuine, and I quite agree with it. Many changes in this world, especially in the world of mass communications, democracy, lobby etc, take place not necessarily because the change is right, but because the change is well promoted, propagated and sustained. So, the Iranian community is doing its right bit to take preventive actions against the possibility of this name change, in the future. The name change has been on the agenda of Arab nations in the Middle East for decades, far before the Islamic revolution in Iran.

If the name of the gulf will be changed it will be a very significant blow to the Persian identity. Some in the West may even think that the last remnant of the Persian people was erased simply because Persians have long disappeared. Even today it is quite tricky to make Westerners understand the difference between an Iranian, or a Persian Iranian, and an Arab. The word Persian sounds more like something from the history book, rather than the name of a people.

When an Iranian says that he is a Persian, the Western counterpart may think for a bit that he is dealing with an almost extinct human species, about whom he once read in the history book when he was little. Of course, this doesn't apply to the more informed individuals. It can very well apply to the average Joe though. And in today's world of Arabophobia, it seems quite reasonable for some not-so-confident Middle-Eastern Joe to say that he's a Jew in case he's an Arab, and that he's Persian in case he's an Iranian.

A couple of months ago I was amazed to see a couple of Arabs who told me they were Jewish. Of course I am not so unfamiliar with Middle-Easterners not to notice the difference between Hebrew and Arabic. They were speaking Arabic with each other (with the unique pronunciation of Arabic H, like in Habibi, and DH, like in Ramadhan). The Arab guys were chatting and happily entertaining with their Christian colleagues who had been told that they were Jewish. The other guys joked about Arab terrorists (knowing that they were dealing with Jews), and even went as far as subtly attacking Islam, and the Arabs were quietly concurring. And I was restraining myself from laughter.

I also met, quite interestingly, a couple of Iranian folks at the same place a few days later. When I heard them talking normally I went to them and they were very happy to know that I was an Iranian too. Iranians always ask each other which part of Iran they come from, so they told me, I told them, and after a while I started joking about my Turkish accent, they laughed, and so on.

This is the fun part of being the citizen of a badly managed semi-empire, of Middle-Eastern flavour. But we are always very happy to find each other and it is amazing how we Iranians get along with each other, and never really have the balls to say anything bad about each other, except when we are not heard or seen directly. We do have our little differences, contentions and stupid fantasies and unrealistic ideas that do surface once in a while and never really go any further than empty rhetoric and gibberish. These are also probably some relatively sinister parts of the beauty of our Middle-Eastern origins.

Going back to the main subject of this article, it was quite interesting for me to see a pathetic video of some well-dressed (probably from northern Tehran) Iranians who were chanting outside the UAE embassy in Tehran, protesting against their desire to call the Persian Gulf, Arabian Gulf (or Khalij Arab). Well, it is nice to see Iranians bold enough to initiate protests on their own, probably with no government backing! I doubt the Iranian government would send those Western-looking stylish Tehrani women to protest for something, for anything! It is something pretty new for Iranians to protest about such issues.

But isn't it pathetic for Iranians to protest against the government of the UAE? What the hell! Some years ago Iranians would have simply gone there, burned down some date palms, hanged some Sheikhs, beheaded a few innocent people, and taught them a lesson (for some, or no, reason). How 'low' have we come now? Now we are PROTESTING against such a small government? Okay, joking aside, it really is pathetic for foreigners, non-Iranians, to see something like this! Why do Iranians care some Arabs call some place with this or that name??? Did anybody ever protest against Iranians calling the Caspian Sea, Khazar?

One thing is to protest, officially or even by street demonstrations, against the International community, the UN, or maybe even a large and powerful country like America, for saying or doing something against the Iranian NATIONAL INTERESTS, and a completely different thing to protest what the government of a small country does on its own choosing. So, tomorrow we are going to see Iranians protesting against the government of Papua New Guinea's decision to name their children after Iranian pistachio species?

And on the final note, how do Iranians explain names of so many many places, things, dates and buildings or locations inside Iranian Azerbaijan that have been changed from Azeri to Persian? That wasn't so nice, brotherly and sporty, was it? Just think about it!�


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ANGLO-AMERICAN GULF

by Wakup Ogdeh (not verified) on

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WAKEUP UP AND SMELL THE SOMOVAR!

Its not the the Arab and its not the Persian gulf.

They should change the name to the ANGLO-AMERICAN GULF, because thats who controls, owns it and makesure the sea lanes are clear for looting our oil and natural resources.

How many British tricks of divide and conquer do we have to endure, until you arrogant "persian" pricks get the message?

Perspolis burned to the ground 2,000 years ago.
Imam Ali died 1300 years ago.
Shah Abbas kicked the Portuguese out 500 years ago.
BRITISH and their sons of bitches have controlled area for the last FIVE HUNDRED YEARS!

Why didn't we fucking unite with the Bedouins and kick them out first?

Those dirty Arabs know they are nothing, without outside help. What pains me is that we don't...


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To ANONYMOUSLY

by Ali1 (not verified) on

It is Azerbaijan now as far as I know, not Azarabadegan. You want to change it back to Azarabdagean? Why? Maybe the name of the region before, far before, was not even Atropatene, but... let's say Duduliland! IF archaelogists find that the first name given to Azerbaijan was Duduliland, do we have to change it to that? The people of Iran's north-west are Turkic now. YOu are unhappy with that? What can we do? You wanna slaughter them all? I doubt you can. They are too many. You want to make them Persians, or Medes, as they used to in the past? Okay, maybe before being Medes they were Duduli people. Why not change them back to that? Maybe the people from the Iranian area you come from were... let's say Muduli people before the Iranian/Aryan migration. And they spoke Muduli laguage. Are you supposed to go back and Mudulify yourself? You are a bit lost my friend! History is important when you learn from it, learn from mistakes and so on, not when you glorify and deify it, or its powerful figures. Then all you do is to succomb to your weaknesses, leaving the present for others to build.


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This argument is silly!!!

by Farrokh (not verified) on

This argument is silly!!! It is this internal disagreement over things that have very little bearing on anyone that has caused the outside world to vilify Iran. Can't you understand it the mandating of inconsequential things that has turned Iran into a mess? Everything from the Shah forcing women to remove their chadors to the mullahs forcing women to wear manteaus and rusaris to arguing about whether Iranians should call themselves Iranian or Persians or what language to teach. Why not give people choices? It is the choices that the West offers that people of the Middle East run to.
Additionally, Iranians seem to lump the entire Arab world into one ethnic group, when Arab is only the people who are from Saudi and Kuwait. We can start another ridiculous argument about the northern Arab speaking population and really get off track. Persians should find ways to be united instead of divided. I can always tell when I come around a group of Iranians. People are arguing about everything. And...everyone thinks they are right!!! Even when faced with the facts.


jamshid

Re: Anonymous2008

by jamshid on

The oil revenues are not equaly distributed among different ethnic groups. For example, Baloochestan and Sistaan have the worst economic indicators in Iran. Like in everything else, the IRI has failed miserably in wealth distribution generally among all Iranians, and also among some of Iran's ethnic minorities.

I said that it's only my "opinion" that it should be a requirement that Farsis learn one other Iranian language. If I had the opportunity, I would try to make this happen. But not at the cost of imposing it on them.

By the way, I am a Farsi myself, jad andar jad ;)

I agree with everything else you wrote in your last comment regarding the IRI, Islam, the past 1400 years, and the need for unity among all Iranians.


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To Jamshid

by Anonymous2008 (not verified) on

Being Iranian is defined by a state of mind, not by a place of residence, your language, your dialect or even your genetic make up or race. When I say Persians then I mean all people living in Iran (Persia).
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against learning other languages by Parsis, in fact I'm in favor of it. But I think it is not right to make it to a MUST and force the people to learn those languages. It is something that should comes from people's heart and as you mentioned before the Achaemenid in ancient Persia never forced others to do something what they did not want to do and we should keep it that way. On the other hand I do not believe that it would be so easy to do this job because we already have a lot of problem to encourage people to learn the Persian language in many areas in Iran. It will be a very tough job which needs a huge investment, hard work and personals.
Let me quote something from your comment " However, I am all for equal share of the oil wealth! Are you too?" What do you mean by that? Are you telling me that a specific ethnic groups are getting more than the others? Then I have to inform you that the Plastinians and south American countries like Bolivea and Nicaragoa have more share of the iranian oil wealth than Iranians themselves. You might ask Ali Khamanie, the leader of IRI this question and not me, but as an ordinary citizen of Iran I say yes we should have an equal share. I repeat it again, Iran was and still is ruled for the last 1400 years by non-Persians and actually Parsis or as you call them Farsis were and are the victim of islamic racism exposed by some other ethnic groups living in Iran. I need to remind you that Parsis(Farsis) were zoroastarians and were coerced into Islam first by Arabs and then into Shia by Turks(Safavids). Millions of Parsis were killed by those people just in order to force them to practice their religion(Islam/shiaism). Some people think Mullahs are Parsis because they use the Persian language in their speech. Just as a reminder, 90% of the iranain politicians are not Parsis, they are mostly Azeris and what they do (stealing Iranian wealth and many other crimes)has nothing to do with parsis people. For example, Ali Kahmanie and Hadad Adeal are Azeris. For this reason Parsis can be at the same and even higher level upset about certain things just like Baloochis and other iranians, as you mentioned it.
As long as Iranians are so divided among themselves nobody is going to respect such a group. Nobody is going to respect us if we don't even respect ourselves.
We Iranians, the people of Iran, can together sustain our heritage, preserving our past, strengthing our present, and embracing our future if we consider ourselves as a firm and strong nation and call ourselves Iraians/Persians rather than referring to our single ethnicity and blaming specific groups of Iranians for all our problems. Islam is the source of all our problems and not the people of Iran (Parsis, Azaris, Kurds etc.). We should be united and get rid of the backward Arab religion, Islam.


jamshid

Anonymous2008

by jamshid on

Quote from your post: "Iran is a Persian country which was founded by Persians (by Cyrus the great) in 2500 years ago. If you have any doubt about it then you can strat reading about the history of Iran."

No, I don't have any doubts; it is a fact and I agree with it. 

However, define "Persian" and "Persians".

If you try, you'll realize that the definition depends on the point in our history. In 2500 years, Iran was conquered and occupied by Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Turkic tribes and by many others.

Our culture, language, religion, even our gene pool has all changed. So what could be considered Persian 2500 years ago, may not be true today, and vice versa.

I agree that Iran must have a common language, with Farsi being the most practical one. Without a single common language, there will be lesser understanding of each other, and more difficulties running the country. This applies to relations between Kurds and Azaris, Azaris and Arabs, Kurds and Baloochis, Farsis and Azaris, Kurds and Farsis and many different other combinations.

It is simply inpractical not to have a common language. However, only out of "respect", and for "fairness" sake, and as a matter of cultural "integrity and values", Farsis should also learn "one" of these other languages starting from the first grade.

I don't understand why you oppose this. I don't think any Farsi person would mind having the ability to speak Azari or Kurdish for example.

I never accused anyone of forcing people to abandon their local language. Why do you think that? And no, I am against separatism and I will fight against any attempt of separation. However, I am all for equal share of the oil wealth! Are you too? And I could understand an Azari or Baloochi individual being upset for certain things. Can you too?

Quote from your post: "Do you want that every non-Azari Iranian who wants to visit this part of his country (Azarbaijan) first take the Azari language class in order to communicate with them?"

Did I say that? Aren't you reading my posts carefully? Again, in order for inter-ethnic communications to be possible, we ALL have to speak a common language which should be Farsi.

But if for a Farsi person, there is nothing wrong with learning English, then it should be fine to learn another Iranian langage too, again, only out of respect and fairness for others who have taken the effort of learning Farsi.

Another quote from your post: "I think you (jamshid) feel oppressed that Persian is the official language of Iran and not turkic"

Why are you saying Turkic and why do you think that I feel oppressed? I can speak Farsi fluently and I don't feel being "oppressed" for knowing this language! Why, Anonyoums2008, you are indeed very jumpy!

Last quote from your post: "...  because we learn persian then as compensation persians must learn another iranian languages..."

Your sentence is incorrect. You must replace the "persians must learn" with "Farsis must learn". Because Persian means Farsi, Azari, Kurd, Turkeman, Balooch, even Arabs who live in Iran.

That's what it meant 2500 years ago too. The greeks used this word to refer to all of Iranian tribes. Persia is a synonym for Iran, not for the "Pars" people of the distant past.


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To Kurdish warrior

by Anonymous2008 (not verified) on

Did I say that Cyrus was not a Mede or he was pure Persian? As a teacher I know very well that Persian and Medes were and still are brothers and they build the Persian empire. Usually people use just the word Persian and they assume that at least Iranians know the history of iran and know how close the relation bet/ the Medes and the Persians are!


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Anonymous2008

by Kurdish Warrior (not verified) on

Just to make this point that Cyrus was half Persian/Mede (kurd) so please don't confuse people. Persian and Medes build Iran together. Remember that. You are teacher so you should know this.


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to Ben Madadi

by Anonymously (not verified) on

Why did you then complain about the changing of names in Azerabadegan? If you say let people call and name their own locations themselves, then why you are upset when those name were changed from Azari to Persian? Those who changed the names were the people of the country? Again, if renaming is a bad thing then why they did changed it in the past from Persian to Azari or why the Arabs want to rename the Persian Gulf? Don't you get upset if I address you with names like Adolf Hitler or Gangiz kahan instead of Ben Madadi? Of course you do. The history of a country is the most important thing for the nation of the country. A nation whose soul,culture,history,language and way of life is taken away is not a nation and has no identity. this nation will fight for nothing and succumb to everything tyranical.


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Anonymous2008

by Kurdish Warrior (not verified) on

First of all, you are accusing me for something I’m not. I’m used to these accusations from some individuals, however not from a “teacher” who also indicates that he/she worked in those areas. If the cultural freedom is being practiced in those areas, why is it that majority of Iranian Kurds are still crying loud for freedom even before the revolution. Some even suggest that federalism is another solution to our problems. Let’s not get of the track and change the topic. Obviously something is wrong. Let’s not forget that majority of Iranian Kurds, like me, see Iran as their country because of the common history we all share. I totally agree with you on religion issue however I don’t think that by having a secular institution our other problems would disappear. I did read all your comments which some make sense and some don’t. I agree with Persian being the national language, I’m also against changing the Persian gulf to Arabian gulf however we can’t just stop there. Bottom line is that we need to listen to each other and work together on our society issues rather than accusing one and another which will only lead to dead end.


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Jamshid

by Anonymous2008 (not verified) on

I already answered your question without any diversion and I used the safavid as example to indicate that Persian was always the official language of Iran with no oppressing intention and even the turkic ruler could not change this fact, now you ask me a hypothetical question, here is again the answer: Iran is a Persian country which was founded by Persians(by Cyrus the great) in 2500 years ago. If you have any doubt about it then you can strat reading about the history of Iran. If Iran was a Turkic/kurdish country I would first learn the Turkic or kurdish language and after that my local language and I would not get upset if somebody tell me learn first the official language of your country then the local one. Nobody forced you guys(Turks, Azaris etc.) to abandon your local language, I lived in all those areas and saw how freely people use their own language and culture.That is wrong to do such a accusations. Are you talking about separatism? Do you want that every non-Azari Iranian who wants to visit this part of his country (Azarbaijan) first take the Azari language class in order to communicate with them? Why we need then an official language(Persian)? I really don't understand your point.
To the next part of your question: when we have Persian as our official language(as you agreed too) why do you insist that Persians MUST learn Azari or ANOTHER iranian language? Why? why? why? Just give me a simple explanation or at least give me a resonable argument that I can understand your point. I think you feel oppressed that Persian is the official language of Iran and not turkic and that is the reason that you think because we learn persian then as compensation persians must learn another iranian languages. Don't you think we should leave it up to each individual person to decide what they want to learn since we have an official language(persian)!!!!? May be they want to learn German, English, turkish, kurdish, lory etc. then they should make the decision and not you and me.
P.S. I'm always in control of my emotions and I have read your comments very carefully and I have to tell you that your points of views do not make any sense to me. May be someone else can help you with it.


Ben Madadi

Re: Anonymously

by Ben Madadi on

Let's change the names of every place to what they were... let's say... 2000 years ago? Will that make you happy? Let's change the names to what they were... 3000 years ago? Happier? 4000 years will be better? What about 10.000 years ago?

Normally you let people call and name their own locations themselves. However the International name is something else. Arabs are free to call it Arbian Gulf, Iranians are free to call ir Persian Gulf, but which one will the International name be! Anyway...


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To Ben Madadi

by Anonymously (not verified) on

Let me first site the last part of your article and then answer your question, you asked "how do Iranians explain names of so many many places, things, dates and buildings or locations inside Iranian Azerbaijan that have been changed from Azeri to Persian? That wasn't so nice, brotherly and sporty, was it? Just think about it.".
Those places have had originally persian names and after Arab-Turk invasion of Iran many of the persian names were changed to Arabic and Turkic. Now I ask you how do you explain names of so many many places, things, dates and buildings or locations inside Iranian AZARABADEGAN and ARAN that have been changed form PERSIAN to Azeri? That wasn't so nice, brotherly and sprty, was it? just think about it. And you should know that even the name of Azarbaijan is changed by Azeri Turks from Persian name Azar- Abadegan to Azarbaijan, Was that fair? Here is one for you Ben; those who live in a glass house don't throw stone..... .


jamshid

Re: Anonymous2008

by jamshid on

I asked you, ""If Kurds or Azaris were ruling Iran, would you, a Farsi (or whatever), be happy if they forced you to abandon Farsi as your official local language by forcing Kurdish or Azari on you?"

You did not answer the question. Instead you talked about what the turkic tribes did with language in Iran centuries ago which has nothing to do with my question. What does my question has anything to do with Safavids? So please read the question and anwser it without any "tafreh" or diversion.

Another thing I said was, "However, it should be mandatory for Farsis to learn another Iranian language such as Azari or Kurdish or another. This will only further enrich our Iranian culture..."

You replied by saying how could anyone learn all of the various languages of Iran? Again, read my post carefully. I said if Farsis want all ethnic groups to speak Farsi (which I agree with), then Farsis should also learn "another" Iranian language such as Kurdish or Azari or whatever else. I did not say they should learn ALL of those languages, I said only "another", not "all other". They should be able to choose anyone language they want, but it must be mandatory for them.

Would that be fair to you? Or do you consider it unfair?

P.S. In the future, you should control your emotions and READ the post carefully so you don't misunderstand what you are reading.


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To Abarmard

by Anonymously (not verified) on

Don't you think you should confront the Ben Madadi with his stupid comment about UAK and then ask the question about change of names in Azerbaijan. "I admire and respect the UAE "its people and its rulers because they provide our fellow Iranians with jobs, so they can have better lives admiring UAK".


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To Kurdish warrior

by Anonymous2008 (not verified) on

You repeat the same mistakes again and again. Kurds are free in practicing their culture, speaking their language and many other things like other iranians and again are oppressed by regime like any other iranian. I'm an patriotic Iranian and not a Perisan nationalist. You have to understand the I see all Iranians as people of Persia, meaning that we are one nation regardless of our ethnicity. I think you have some separatistic Ideas which can change you to a very narrow minded person. You need to go back and read all my comments again to see that what I said is fair and is based on my personal observation. The dictatorship in iran started with forcing islam upon iranians and has nothing to do with persian culture and language. I think you haven't been living in Iran for many years and all your information that you get is from separastic groups. you might change your information's sources. If you want to have a free iran as you suggested then we have to get rid of Islam.


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To jamshid

by Anonymous2008 (not verified) on

There is a contradiction in your comment. you said "If Kurds or Azaris were ruling Iran, would you, a Farsi (or whatever), be happy if they forced you to abandon Farsi as your official local language by forcing Kurdish or Azari on you?" I have to inform you that iran was ruled for the last 1100 years by truks(Azeris) and they start the turkification of iran with no success because they realized that they have nothing in turkic to start with, no turkish book, no turkish poetry, no scientific writting, and that was the reason why they start promoting the persian language and using it as official language of iran. Even in Safavid dynasty who were turks used persian as their official language. And you also said "However, it should be mandatory for Farsis to learn another Iranian language such as Azari or Kurdish or another. This will only further enrich our Iranian culture", I have to inform you that Azari and kurdish are not the only languages that you suggested iranians MUST learn to speak(mandatory). There are many other languages like lory, gillany, balochi, kozestany etc. that are spoken in iran. Now ask yourself if it would be possibel for an Iranian(Persian) to learn all these languages as you suggested. Let assume you are an Azari and as you said you must learn all other languages which are spoken in iran. Can you do it? If yes then let us know how you did it and we would be glad to do the same thing!!!. As you see your suggestion has no logical base. It should be up to the people if they want to learn other languages in addition to the official languages(Persian).


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Qizil Uzan

by Anonymous20404 (not verified) on

Qizil Uzan is actually Sepid Rud in the 10th century SafarnAma of nAsir Khusraw. I think that name is much older. It is true, when the Turkification of the region started, some names were changed to Turkish and Mongolian. For example Meshkin-Shahr was the older name of Khiyaav and rechanged. Sometimes though they made names like Bandar Pahlavi and etc. It should be noted that though that they did not change any old names, but they did not use some of the names used by local people and coined new names.
Turkey did this at much more worst scale and Reza Shah tried to do some of the exact steps of Ataturk. I think the Pahlavi regime tried to bring back some of the old names but sometimes they did coin new terms. Like MishMahig island for Bahrain and etc.

The issue of Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea are important from a national interest point of view. That is what counts the most and that is why Arab countries are falsifying the name of the Persian Gulf. On caspian sea, Daryaayeh Mazandaran is actually one of the historic names for Caspian Sea but the more common name is Khazar in modern Persian. But Daryaayeh Qazvin, Khorasan, Deylam, Gilan, Mazandaran, Tabarestan have all been used for this body. I think Caspian would be the best from the national interest point of view, it is already internationaly established, it is the oldest name, and the Caspians were an ancient Iranian or Iranian influenced people. Same with Persian Gulf, which by its own name, shows that it belongs to an old entity of Iran. So the primary focus should be on national interests above else.


Ben Madadi

Re: Abarmand

by Ben Madadi on

I am not exactly the best person to ask. There must be many well-informed people. I can give you a few examples. Some of these places have usually had two names, like some rivers, because they crossed both Turkic and Iranic areas. While others were only in Turkic areas.

For example the name for Talkhe Rud river was Aji Chay. Qizil Uzan was changed to Zarrine Rud. Sulduz was changed to Naqadeh. However in Naqadeh (and also Miandab) case I think Kurdish population of the area probably called them by their current names. Most villages, smaller places, building etc, that usually had Turkic names have been mispelled (or translated) to sound like Persian. Larger cities being very old usually did not have Turkic names. But I am not the best person to ask on this regard.


Abarmard

Ethnic languages should be promoted

by Abarmard on

Ethnic cultures and languages should be taught and promoted in Iran but as it is we do need a national language.

Persian Gulf will remain Persian Gulf especially knowing that things will not remain as such between Iran and the west. Then the Sheikhs will realize not to play with lion's tail.

Ben this is for my own information, would you tell me what names of the places in Azarbaijan has been changed to Persian, if possible with a little info? I did not know that. That would be a great information. Thanks


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This debate is too late

by Amir Rostam (not verified) on

This post and the idiotic replies make me so angry. Firstly Iranians are waking up to this problem about 30 years too late. As the damage has been done.

Secondly while the splits exist within Iranian ranks, we will never be able to turn the tide of years of Arab money and nationalism poured into this effort. I have written amply on this subject and how they have succeeded in changing the name in commerce, particularly shipping industry. The Worldscale book which is the bible of shipping industry eradicated Persian Gulf aeons ago.

Re the suggestion for "Iranian Gulf", the same "gheirati" people who changed the country from Persia to Iran as a silly outpouring of anticolonial pride, when they realised the consquence of breaking with "Persia"'s past (it was the name of our country in the West) then tried to change the name of Persian Gulf found out that it could not be done as Arabs had woken up. It was rejected by bodies like the UN.

When will Iranians ever WAKE UP?

The mind boggles.

Rostam


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How about Iranian-Arabian or Arabian-Iranian Gulf?

by G. Rahmanian (not verified) on

"But today's Arabs have nothing to do with our problems!" Jamshid

Antagonizing Iran's Arab neighbors has been part and parcel of IRI's foreign policy. An outcome of such policy was the 8-year war between Iran and Iraq.

As for a solution I suggest the name, Iranian-Arabian or Arabian-Iranian Gulf?

It would be senseless to discuss something when neither side is ready to compromise and the case needs to be refered to the U.N.


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It may become a moot point

by Alborzi (not verified) on

Back in 1960, you could not swim in it, because there were all kinds of fish and sea living creatures, now at least on the abadan side, it was polluted and I could not see any fish. I hope they love it as much as the name.


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To be proud

by Sarzamine man (not verified) on

Persian Gulf will always remain as it is and Persia will always exist, every history have its ups and downs and I think we have our downs now, we will rise again. I think Andisheye Irani hargez nemimire, che kasy va che chyzy dar tarikhe bashareyat balatar az in jomle gofte shode ??
Bany adam azaye yekdigaran ke dar afarinesh hame zek goharand.

For soome of my Kurdish friends here I should say what is important is we should all be Iranian and live together freely under one roof and defend our culture and country when it comes to it, what language being official must be decided by people of Iran, they should choose what they want but my own opinion is that why not learning all our major languages in schools ? no mandatory but a must, what is wrong with telling our children to learn more languages ?? we can replace Arabic with Kurdish and add Turki, I remember when I was in high school I hated Arabic and I really loved to learn Turkish even non of my relatives are Turkish, I managed to learn some but not fully influent, I would say as long as we are all one and united, it is not matter how we speak, mitonim aslan ba zabane eshare harf bezanim,however our main focus should be getting rid of these animals in Iran first.


K Nassery

Persian/Iranian

by K Nassery on

Some commentors here get upset when people of Iranian descent call themselves Persian in the US.  Perhaps, we should rename the Gulf/Persian Gulf the Iranian Gulf. 

 This is a "push Iranian button" issue.  If you want to see an Iranian jump up and down, mention the Arab Gulf/the Gulf.  I think the first thing I would say to President Ahmadinejad (if I ever meet him) would be...Say... did you have fun visiting the Gulf?  I bet he would jump up and down and make funny noises.

 I do enjoy the passion that Iranians have...even over a name....

 


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Anonymous2008

by Kurdish Warrior (not verified) on

The points I mentioned is one of the steps to freedom of multicultural expressions. From what I see, your point of view is very Persian nationalistic. It’s your point of view and I respect that even though I disagree along with many others in those areas. But you have to understand that in order for all of us to live in peace with each other, and prohibit any separatist idea we need to start from ground zero and let every Iranian tribe enjoy their cultural freedom. Without that we will see it as dictatorship upon us, which will lead to nothing but destruction.


jamshid

Re: jahangard

by jamshid on

I call Arabs of 1400 years ago who attacked our country many ugly names. I call Iranians who sell themselves out to Arabian culture many even uglier names as well. I call Islam yet even uglier names.

But today's Arabs have nothing to do with our problems! 

Also, remember that we have many Iranian citizens who are Arabs. They proved their loyalty when Saddam attacked Iran. Despite the many promises Saddam made to them, The Iranian Arabs didn't hesitate to fight against him and to defend Iran.

They may read these comments and get hurt. That won't be fair, so be careful with your choice of words my friend! Re-read my first paragraph too!

As far as the "Persian Gulf" naming issues, I think those Arab sheykhs need a good "gooshmaali", that's all. Unfortunately, our government won't give it to them. What do you expect from a bunch of jack ass that their leader, Khomeini, wanted to call that same gulf the "Islamic Gulf"?

khob maloomeh! in ham arabha ro shir mikoneh! The problem is not UAE, it is the IRI. It is the root cause of ALL our miseries.


jamshid

Anonymous2008

by jamshid on

You must be a Farsi, maybe I am wrong. I understand your concern and I can tell that you mean well. But you must ask yourself this question:

If Kurds or Azaris were ruling Iran, would you, a Farsi (or whatever), be happy if they forced you to abandon Farsi as your official local language by forcing Kurdish or Azari on you?

The answer is obviously a firm NO! If you don't want it for you, then you should not want it for others!

In my opinion, Farsi MUST be the common official national language and learning it must be mandatory for all ethnic groups. We have no choice but to have one such language if we want to be "one" country, and Farsi is the most practical choice.

However, it should be mandatory for Farsis to learn another Iranian language such as Azari or Kurdish or another. This will only further enrich our Iranian culture.

There are so many beautiful poems and songs in Kurdish and Azari and Baloochi, etc. Wouldn't it be a shame for this richness to gradually dissipate and disapear, such as it has already happened to the Asoori language? Or should we instead enrich ourselves with them? The answer should be obvious.

I mean think about it. We all strive to learn English for practical purposes, but we fail to do the same with another "khodi" language such as Kurdish or Azari, yet we expect THEM to learn Farsi. Well maybe they will gladly just do that, only if Farsis do the same too! Is that fair? 

A country built based on fairness will be stronger and its people much closer. Just look at what the Hakhaa maneshis did 2500 years ago! They conquered but never imposed their religion or language! That's the proof!


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To kurdish warrior

by Anonymous2008 (not verified) on

I disagree with your suggestion that each ethnic group should have their local language as an official language aside our national language (Persian), for many reasons. In all those regions children start to communicate with others by their regional language for instance, Kurdish,turkic etc. and if there is no pressure in schools to motivate students to learn the official language of Iran (Persian) they will never learn to speak, to write and understand the Persian language. I'm telling that because of my years of experiences. In some parts of Azarbaijan and Kurdestan still many people are not able to talk in Persian which creates many problems for them and others who don't speak Kurdish or Azeri. As I mentioned before poverty, durg addiction, crime and many other social problems are awful things that all Iranians are facing them in all regions of Iran. I never said that the people have a glorious life in those regions. I said that people are free to talk their own language, wear their traditional dress and practice their own culture.


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Anonymous2008

by Kurdish Warrior (not verified) on

First of all I don't disagree with Persian being the official language or me not being an Iranian. As a matter of fact, I believe in a unified Iran and that the only language that most of us can speak and communicate with each other is Persian. What I do support for example is that, for every region, we need to make their language official aside our national language (Persian) as well. I also agree with points where Jamshid drew. As you mentioned earlier, you’ve lived in most parts of Iran, however the life is not as glorious as you described in those areas.


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