Arab Gulf? Persian Gulf? Games Cancelled
Islamic Solidarity Games cancelled over Gulf dispute
From BBC News
The first Islamic Solidarity Games were held in Jeddah in 2005
The Islamic Solidarity Games, due to be held in Iran in April, have been called off because of a dispute with Arab countries over what to call the Gulf.
The games federation in Saudi Arabia said the Iranian organisers had failed to address its concerns, particularly about the planned logo and medals.
These bear the words “Persian Gulf”, but Arab countries, who call it the Arabian Gulf, reject the term.
The games had been postponed in October in the hope of striking a deal.
The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in Riyadh said, after an emergency board meeting, Iran’s local organising committee “unilaterally took some decisions without asking the federation by writing some slogans on the medals and pamphlets of the games”.
Iran “did not abide by the rules of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation” and “did not follow the decisions taken by the general assembly of the federation at a previous meeting in Riyadh”, it said in a statement.
But Iran’s committee for the games disputed the decision.
“In spite of convincing arguments made to the ISSF executive committee, regrettably and without presenting any logical reasons, the ISSF committee decided not to hold the games with Iran as the host,” it said.
The games – which are meant to strengthen ties among Islamic countries – were first held in the Saudi city of Jeddah in 2005.
Iran has campaigned to ensure the body of water between Iran and the Arabian peninsula is known as the Persian, not the Arabian, Gulf.
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So childish!
Historically, it is the Persian Gulf. But if we like to call it Arabian Gulf, Where is the problem? Why can’t we call it Arabian; and the Iranians can continue to call it Persian?
Is it really that difficult? Have we solved all other issues – that this is now a priority?!
petty middle easterners. sighf
I agree, Mrm, Bu Yousef . . . sigh! Just one more thing to argue about . . .
Once a friend of mine asked “Why don’t they call it the Islamic gulf?”
Some encyclopedias refer to it as the Arabian/Persian gulf but most sources I’ve seen refer to it as the persian gulf
It is an issue that needs to be addressed and resolved tbh
But… Why an official name can canceled the games?maybe this is the hate between Arabs and persians whose empire was ruined by Mohamnmad .So Never Islamic gulf can be used!
LOL, people go to war over words!
i second Massih. Intlxpatr, you didn’t quite get what she meant. It in NOT a war over words; the dispute over the term Arabian or Persian Gulf stems from the hatred between Arabs and Persians. It is war of pride and power.
Ring, it is a puzzle to me. I know many families in the Gulf countries I have lived who have Iranian roots. Is this religious? Cultural/traditional?
You are asking whether the hatred due to religious, cultural/traditional factors? Well, when, where and how it started i am not sure. But currently Iranians can’t stand Arabs due to numerous factors. But mostly, as Massih pointed out, is that it was an Arab who brought Islam to Iran which caused the downfall of the Persian Empire. Since the invasion of Islam, Iran and Iranians have lost everything-namely their pride, culture and dignity. They blame Islam/Arabs for that.
If you want to open a can of worms, ask you readers whether they agree with me and Massih that Iranians and Arabs hate each other’s guts. Ask any of your Arab readers whether they feel welcomed when they travel to Iran.
I am not sure what you meant by pointing out that many families in Gulf countries have Iranian roots. There are many Arab-Iranians in Iran as well, namely in Ahwaz. They want to separate from Iran because every time they talk to a non-Arab Iranian they are insulted.
Let me ask you this, or better yet, ask you Iranian readers this question: If instead of Arabs, they were neighbors with any European country, let’s say France. And France wants to change the name of Persian Gulf to French Gulf. How many Iranians do you think would object?
You made me laugh out loud with the question about France . . . Let me think about featuring your comment. Here’s my hesitation – I really don’t want to encourage hatred; mostly this blog is about trying to get along.
We have so many good Iranian-Americans . . . including one in our family. 🙂 I don’t want people to get into an emotional and insulting argument.