The Name Persian Gulf and The Biology Crisis in Iran

Origianally posted at http://www.netiran.com/Htdocs/Clippings/FPolitics/950315XXFP02.html

Nashr -e- Danesh (A publication of The University Publications Center)
March 1995,
Vol. 15, No. 83, Page(s): 5-13
By: Mr. Hussein Akhani Saanejani
Word Count: 956

Summary:

The Arab States of the Persian Gulf region, whose history of formation do not go back to more than a century ago, have during the past few years tried to gain an identity and expand their cultural and political domain by altering the names of the areas belonging to other countries into Arabic names, in order to pursue their political plans. Changing the historic name of Persian Gulf into Arab Gulf is one of their selected maneuvers used in the region's biology studies.

Text:

The Name Persian Gulf and The Biology Crisis in Iran

In issue No. 6, Vol. 13, of Nasher -e- Danesh journal there was a praiseworthy article by Dr Majid Zadeh called "The Name of Persian Gulf and Foreign Archeology." The efforts of this distinguished Iranian researcher in trying to show the outside world some aspects of the injustice done to Iran, especially in area of archeology , should undoubtedly be complimented and praised. The article is not only an alarm to the archaeologists, but also to all the researchers and planners involved in scientific and research activities within the country. Although the article dealt with archeology, it covered two main issues: first, the increasing inclination of foreign scientists to cooperate with the Arab States in changing the name of the Persian Gulf; and secondly the weakness of the Iranian archaeologists to confront this rising trend.

In emphasizing Dr Majid Zadeh's article, it should unfortunately be added that the battle for changing the name by the Arab States and the collaboration of foreign scientists is not just limited to archeology, but it has started in all areas related to geography. One of the most important sciences that is closely connected with geography is biology, especially in its subdivisions such as zoology, botany, ecology, marine biology and paleobiology.

The states in the Persian Gulf region in fact build the heart of Southwest Asia and the Middle East. During the past three centuries, foreign scientists and researchers have become highly interested in these areas as one the most attractive regions of the world, not only because of their ancient civilizations, but also because of the variety in their biological species. Unfortunately, due to my limitations of time and scientific knowledge, I am incapable of presenting a somewhat similar comprehensive data in biology, as Dr Majid Zadeh has put forward in connection with archeology. Therefore, in the present article I will first mention some of the important issues that I have personally encountered in biology sources and circles. I will then elaborate on the subject of how the publication of biological research can serve its duty in preserving the national and historical values of the country.

1) Since 1983, the Arab States have been publishing a journal under the name Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research . This journal, which is published in English with Arabic abstracts, covers a broad spectrum of articles in basic science, particularly in the field of biology. The journal is published in Riyadh by the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States. The editorial committee of the journal comprises university lecturers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. This journal has gained popularity among many foreign researchers in recent years, and many show a willingness to publish their articles there.

Some of these researchers all well known by most Iranian botanists, including Professor W. Frey from University of Berlin who is one of the most active European researchers on plant cover and algae in Iran and other Southwest Asian countries. He had carried out many research projects in Iran before the Islamic Revolution. Another researcher who can be named is Mr. I. C. Hedge, the prominent British botanist and a colleague of Professor K.H.Rechinger in the preparation of Flora Iranica. It must be emphasized that the publication of authentic articles by this journal is one of the most clever maneuvers used to change the name of the Persian Gulf in the minds of the public. When this journal publishes a genuine article, any researcher who wants to refer to the article , according to publishing rules , must mention the name of the writer and the journal it was published in, whether he agrees with the name or not. As an example, the writer of this article was once forced to use the name " Arab Gulf " when he had to refer to one of the articles published by this journal. In this way, the name " Arab Gulf" will spread everywhere like a virus.

2) By absorbing some of the young foreign researchers in the field of biology, especially those young researchers who are after a reputation, and by publishing their various articles in renowned international journals where the name "Arab Gulf" or "The Gulf" or "Persian-Arab Gulf" is constantly repeated, the Arab States have been trying to spread the name "Arab Gulf" in recent years - in the same manner they did in the field of archaeology.

3) By holding international scientific conferences, the Arab States attract foreign researchers to their countries and use them for the benefit of their own political interests. There are two groups of people who benefit from such conferences: the foreign researchers who achieve their goals at the expense of the Arab States, and the Arab politicians who, by hiding under the cover of science and technology, inject the virus called "Arab Gulf" into the writers who will use the name in the articles that will be published later.