Do you think Persians are Arabs?!

[Cyrus]

It is the Alexander Movie, Alexander fights against Persians in the battle of Gaugamela, not only Persians look like Arabs but it can be clearly heard that they shout in Arabic "Iskandar aduw Allah" (Alexander is the enemy of God)!!National Geographic includes the "Arabian Gulf" name in parentheses for the "Persian Gulf," Organization of World Heritage cities mentions ancient city of Bam which was destroyed last year in these days, as a Arab city ( http://www.ovpm.org/module-Ovpm-liste-mm-1034.htm ), ...

Is there any similarity between Persian and Arabic languages? Do Arabs use Persian solar calendar? Did they celebrate the birth of Mithra some days ago or any other Persian festival? Do they have Persian names?Richard Armitage says "Iranians think they're still at the time of Xerxes and Persepolis" ( http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-ne ... -4096.html ), I think he means "whenas the fact is that they are Arabs!".

[marcus]

Hi Cyrus,I'm afraid there's not a huge amount one can do in the face of ignorance. I would wager that most people think (or assume) that the Persians are Arabs, and that the language of Iran is Arabic. The other day I told someone that I am going/coming to Iran next year, and the answer I got was "where's Iran?" - I have to say that was the first time I have encountered *that* level of ignorance. I fear you'll just have to live with it, and at least you can be sure that some of us (and therefore the important people) *are* aware that there is a difference ...All the bestMarcus

[ruthaki]

Any Iranians (or Parsis) I've met (and I know a few) refer to themselves as "Persian", NEVER "Arab".
This includes my friend Dinaz,(who we call "The Persian Princess")who was born in Bombay. Her family practiced the religion of Zoroaster.

[marcus]

Hi Ruth,I think that's Cyrus' point ... of course, they don't refer to themselves as Arabs because ... er ... they're not Arabs!Happy Christmas!Marcus

[Cyrus]

I think many things could be changed, if there was more freedom in Iran, Middle East was safer than this, tourists visited Iran and Arabic countries and then thermselves comapred Iranian and Arabic cultures.

[marcus]

You're so right, Cyrus. I do fear, however, that even if it were 'easier' to visit Iran (and other parts of the Middle East), too many people in the West wouldn't be interested - which means that the ignorance won't change. But if it encouraged a few more people to take an interest, that would be better than nothing!All the bestMarcus

[canto]

Cyrus, I think it would make a difference if travel were safer and one could experience the people and their culture. The first time I met Iranians/Persians was in college. For some reason I like them immediately ... very intelligent and down to earth. I knew so very little about them, but I did know one thing, that they were not Arabs. I had a Persian math teacher who with great skill helped me after class with the subject. I remember looking up at his wall in his office and for the first time I saw what Persian writing looked like. I thought it was beautiful, like art work. He would offer me tea and show me some of his Photography work (fast action shots) his timing had to be perfect. Anyway it gave me some of my own personal opinions about the Iranians I met regardless of what someone else thought. And that's why if travel to the middle East was more of a possibility people could begin to have greater awareness of each other and who we are as individuals.

[Cyrus]

There is no interest because there is no knowledge about Middle East, I think by some positive information on the Middle East in TV and other Media, many people will be interested, in fact people are interested to visit other cultures especially in Middle East which is the land of world's oldest cultures and civilizations.

[ruthaki]

Another huge misconception is regarding the people of Iraq. My good friend Jabbar, an artist-refugee from Iraq (he was on Sadaam's hit list and his father was killed by Sadaam) says emphatically, "I am NOT Arab. I am Sumarian." (To me, he is an exact replica of a character in my novel who is an advisor to the great king.) A most fascinating and intelligent man.

[Cyrus]

It is possible that Iraqis are enthnically Sumerian, Babylonain, Assyrian, ... but culturally, they are certianly Arab.