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Thematic Essay
How Was a False Name for Persian Gulf Fabricated?
Iran Prior to Arab Invasion in 7th c. CE
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An Islamic map showing Persian Gulf, dated 320 A.H.
Haft-Darya (seen Seas) map by Biruni (Click to enlarge)
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The historical name of the Persian Gulf is a
familiar name for all the countries in the world, particularly the countries of
Middle East.
"In the decade of the 1950s, the cabinet of Iran's then
prime minister Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq was overthrown and his foreign minister Dr
Hossein Fatemi was killed. The Shah, with his tense relations with Iraq on the
Arvand-Roud (Shatt-ul-Arab) assumed the role of the region's gendarme in
opposition to the government of Jamal Abdel Nasser. Therefore, the Arabs asked
for the change of the name of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf when they saw
that the Shah of Iran was supporting Israel and was against Arab nationalism."
It seems natural that some low-minded and
prejudiced persons would want to change the authentic and historical name of the
Persian Gulf, but it is not expected from intellectuals who should be clarifying
public opinion with historical truths. Considering this fact, the prejudiced
reaction of a person such as Jamal Abdel Nasser to a historical truth thousands
of years old is regrettable.
According to another narration, the forged
name for Persian Gulf was fabricated and presented by a Jewish Syrian, Eli
Cohen, who was one of the members of the Iraqi Baath Party in Damascus. As Iran
and Egypt did not have friendly relations then, and as the Shah of Iran was
supporting Israel, the suggestion was welcomed by Cairo. Cohen was
later accused of espionage, arrested for spying for Israel and executed in
Damascus.
Considering all this, it seems improper that
some news and official circles of Arab countries prefer prejudice to wisdom and
use a false name for the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf was called by this name
even before the advent of Islam. If there was any need to change the real and
historical name of the Persian Gulf, the Prophet Mohammad would definitely have
changed it. So, what is the reason that some Arab countries chauvinistically
call for the change of this real and historical name, merely because it bears a
Persian name?
How is that some Arab countries, neglecting all the historical truths, insist on using the false name, but expect Iranians not to inform those centres that use this false name? Iranians call those interested parties to use the real name of the Persian Gulf is not the result of racial prejudice, but it is a logical measure that is accepted by any wise and fair person, as it is accepted in international circles, including the United Nations, and all are suggested to observe it.
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"History is the Light on the Path to Future" |
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Encyclopaedia Iranica
The British Institute of Persian Studies "Persepolis Reconstructed"
The British Museum
The Royal Asiatic Society
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