The Colonial Naming of the “Persian Gulf” and the Arab Identity of the Arabian Gulf

Since the onset of colonial intervention in the Arab region, Western powers have sought to reshape political and geographical realities to serve their strategic interests, often at the expense of the identity and history of its peoples.

One of the most prominent examples of this intervention is the imposition of the name “Persian Gulf” instead of “Arabian Gulf.” This move was made by colonial powers as part of their efforts to strengthen their influence and weaken the Ottoman Empire, which at the time represented a significant Islamic power in the region, curbing its ambitions for control or expansion in this vital area.

The Western powers’ decision to use the term “Persian Gulf” was far from random; it was part of a calculated strategy to serve their political aims of undermining Ottoman dominance and fueling regional disputes. This naming aligned with the West’s support for Iran as a counterbalancing force against the Ottoman Empire, particularly amid the competition between major powers of the time to dominate a region rich in resources and a critical trade route.

Despite persistent attempts to obscure the Arab identity of the Arabian Gulf, colonial efforts failed to entirely erase the region’s Arab character. Most of the islands in the Gulf retained names that unmistakably reflect their deep connection to Arab culture and identity. These names were not arbitrary; they vividly depicted the natural and maritime realities experienced by the region’s indigenous populations and Arab sailors.

For instance, the island of “Salamah wa Banat’ha”(Salamah and her daughters) is a testament to the emotions of Arab sailors upon sighting the island after grueling sea voyages. The island served as a beacon of hope, signaling the proximity of land and the end of their struggle with tumultuous waves and the perils of the sea.

Even Western officials’ reports affirm the authenticity and Arab origins of the Gulf’s place names. British Colonel Charles H.D. Ryder, who participated in the demarcation of borders between the Ottoman Empire and Iran in the early 20th century, praised the beauty and descriptive nature of Arabic names. Among the names he mentioned were “Umm Jer”and “Abu Tuweir,”which clearly reflect the connection between these names, geography, and local traditions.

The Karun website also referred to “Salamah and her daughters”as a name given by Arabs to express the joy sailors felt when sighting the island after exhausting sea journeys. The sight of this island, along with its smaller counterparts, resembled the sight of seagulls signaling the end of the voyage and the nearness of the shore, ending their hardships and the dangers of the sea.

Colonel Ryder noted in a presentation to the Royal Geographical Society on June 8, 1925, in London—recounting his participation in the 1913–1914 border demarcation between the Ottoman Empire and Persia—some remarkable insights. He said, “This morning, our village was honored by the visit of ‘Abu Batina.’ After traversing the marshes, we reached Al-Basitain, where I delighted the Arabs by shooting birds. It was during this time that we marked the borders at a point locally known as ‘Umm Jer’ (Umm al-Qar). Arabic names are often enchantingly descriptive; they refer to the quail as ‘Abu al-Manqaar al-Taweel’ (the one with the long beak).” Ryder further recounted how an Arab sheikh graciously described a visit by one of Ryder’s European colleagues, noting the individual’s larger-than-average stature in a humorous and respectful manner.