The controversy pertains to the usage of the term “Arabian Gulf University” in Bahrain. As noted by Fardideh Tehrani (Ph.D., Rutgers University, Shiraz University graduate) and Fredun Hojabri (former professor and Academic Vice-president of Sharif (Aryamehr) University of Technology) noted the following:

Recently two conferences, which were sponsored by US Professional Organizations were held in  the United Arab Emirates in which instead of the  internationally recognized  & historic name of “Persian Gulf’, the name “Arabian  Gulf” was used.  Under pressure from the Iranian academic community, the sponsors accepted to remove “Arabic Gulf’ from their conference programs brochure.

Now we have learned that a university with the fictitious name of “Arabian Gulf” in Bahrain is organizing an   international conference. To our dismay the Conference Manager is an Iranian (Dr. Golbahar), who for a while has been a member of faculty at Shiraz University.

We have written to him that in our opinion employment should not justify organizing a conference at that university, and specifically inviting Iranians to present papers at that conference. If you also want to write to him, here is his E-mail address:
jamalgo@agu. edu.bh  (mailto:jamalgo@ agu.edu.bh) 

Below is a latter drafted by Professoe Mohammad Ala, one of the chief directors of the Persian Gulf Heritage Preservation Society, to Dr. Golbahar:

=====================================================================

From: M Ala <alainstructor@gmail.com>
To: jamalgo@agu.edu.bh
Cc: Persian Gulf <PersianGulf@iic.org>; Hojabri@aol.com
Sent: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 9:44 pm
Subject: Persian Gulf name must be used.

Dear Dr. Golbahar:

Dr. Hojbari has brought to our attention that you are holding a
conference at a University where the wrong term of Persian Gulf is
used.

When this University came into being in Bahrain, I personally wrote to
its President, Vice Presidents and academic Deans.  I have not heard
anything from them up to now.

We created a website to educate non-Iranians about the use of correct
term of Persian Gulf.  Our community expects more from Iranians
especially those who teach or conduct research at academic
institutions.  We believe honesty and integrity are two important
elements of academia which we must honor.

On behalf of Persian Gulf Organization, I encourage you to promote the
correct name of Persian Gulf.  At this time, we do not wish to list
your University or you as an abuser of our historical heritage in our
website.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Dr. Mohammad Ala, Board Member
http://persiangulfonline.org and
http://iran-heritage.org

=============================================================================================



Additional Letters of Protest

 

=============================================================================================

---- Original Message ----
From: Bagher R. Harandi <aharand1@yahoo.com>
To: Paul Foote <traitorsusa@yahoogroups.com>; CASMII-Discussion@yahoogroups.com
Cc: jamalgo@agu.edu.bh
Sent: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 8:33 pm
Subject: Fw: Re: Persian Gulf Universityn

 

I encourage everyone please to send a letter to Mr. Golbahar for what he has done is very wrong 

and unacceptable not only for Iranian point of view, it is wrong in International point of view. 

I like to acknowledge once again the excellent work done by Dr. Kaveh Farrokh, 

posting this unlawful incident on his web-log.   

Regards,   Bagher R. Harand