Commentary: History is on the side of the Persian, rather than Arabian, Gulf

Politicians come and go, history remains. Administrations will come and go, history remains. Even their policies will fade away by the powerful hands of time unless deeply rooted in our commonality, which is humanity.

The regional and global rivalries between powers has not and will not affect the true identity of the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf will remain the Persian Gulf. [Editor’s note: Iran and the United Nations identify the body of water as the Persian Gulf, but Arab nations recognize it as the Arabian Gulf, making the issue a subject of international debate.]

The history of that area of the world, as written in various documents dating back to ancient Greece, all indicate two words: “Persian Gulf.”

According to an opinion article in the Guardian, Persian Gulf was the name of that body of water as written by Ptolemy and Strabo, the well known ancient Grecian geographers. In modern times, and since 1917, relying on historical evidence, Persian Gulf has been the official name used by United States many times over, as is the case with the United Nations and other international organizations.

It is evident that the ancient name has survived centuries and hence is an integral part of the identity of a proud nation with several thousands years of history and culture. It’s an ancient nation that has given birth to the first declaration of human rights and freedom of choice by one of her sons, Cyrus the Great, the messiah as written in the Old Testament, book of Ezra in the Hebrew Bible.

I am writing this article on Cyrus the Great Day — which the United Nations is considering making official. It is a day that is unofficially celebrated by many peace-loving people of the world on Oct. 29, as estimated to be the day Cyrus the Great freed Jews from Babylon and helped them to go back to the Holy land of Jerusalem and rebuild their temples.

That great man of humanity was the son of a nation with proud ancient history and culture whose very being and long lasting identity is interwoven with the Persian Gulf. The historical and modern name of Persian Gulf has stood the test of time and is beyond any nationalism, globalism or “Xism.”

It is a matter of identity for a group of peace-loving people and respect for human history for all the people.

K.E. MEHRFAR lives in Newport Beach.