Reuters reports that Iran has banned National Geographic. Why? Well, the revered magazine apparently pissed off a few mullahs over incorrectly naming the gulf off the coast of Iran.
Iran insists on calling it the “Persian Gulf.” The magazine however labeled it “Persian Gulf,” but also placed in parentheses the words “Arabian Gulf,” because that is how it is referred to by other countries sharing that body of water. Sounds fair to me, but try and find reason among the illogical.
Seshu is an Avon, Connecticut based headshot photographer and family portrait photographer. He edits and publishes Tiffinbox and produces Tiffincast for photographers like you!
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Saheli says
Well, to be fair, that’s kind of national sensitivity isn’t the sole domain of religious fundamentalists. (See Greece over Alexander’s depiction of bisexuality. Though personally I think they should be upset over how horrible the movie is supposed to be.) And if even we call it the Persian Gulf, they might have a point–that’s like labelling Germany Deutschland in parentheses. When you’re writing in American English, it’s called the Persian Gulf.
But banning magazines is terrible, and especially one that bends over backwards to be sensitive to other cultures. The situation in Iran is increasingly troubling, and I have a feeling we’re not helping. . .
Saheli says
Well, to be fair, that’s kind of national sensitivity isn’t the sole domain of religious fundamentalists. (See Greece over Alexander’s depiction of bisexuality. Though personally I think they should be upset over how horrible the movie is supposed to be.) And if even we call it the Persian Gulf, they might have a point–that’s like labelling Germany Deutschland in parentheses. When you’re writing in American English, it’s called the Persian Gulf.
But banning magazines is terrible, and especially one that bends over backwards to be sensitive to other cultures. The situation in Iran is increasingly troubling, and I have a feeling we’re not helping. . .