Iranian Government Order on the Persianization of Ahwaz Islands and Ports — March 8, 1966”

 

This confidential document, issued by the Ministry of Interior and the Cabinet of Ministers on March 8, 1966, details the official order for the Persianization of names of four islands and ports in the Ahwaz region. It mandates the use of new Persian names in all official correspondence and documents. 

==Renamed Locations==

* Hajji Salbukh Island → Minu Island  

  (جزیره حاجی صلبوخ = جزیره مینو)  

* Sheikh Shoaib Island → Lavan Island  

  (جزیره شیخ شعیب = جزیره لاوان)  

* Mashur Port → Mahshahr Port  

  (بندر معشور = بندر ماهشهر)  

* Khalafiyeh (Khalafabad) → Ramshir  

  (خلفیه / خلف آباد = رامشیر)  

All ministries and governmental organizations are required to use these new names in official documents and correspondence. The original resolution is kept in the Prime Minister’s office, and a copy was sent to the Ministry of Education. 

==Full Original Persian Text==

سند محرمانه: وزارت کشور، تصویب‌نامه هیئت وزیران در تغییر نام جزایر و بنادر اهواز به اسامی جدید فارسی  

هیئت وزيران در جلسه مورخ ۴۴/۱۲/۸ طبق پیشنهاد شماره هـ۷۸۶۹/۱۰ ، ۴۴/۱۲/۷ وزارت کشور تصویب نمود که نام چهار محل زیر :  

* جزیره حاجی صلبوخ : به جزیره مینو  

* جزیره شیخ شعیب : به جزیره لاوان  

* بندر معشور : به بندر ماهشهر  

* خلفیه (خلف آباد) : به رامشیر  

خوانده شود و مقرر میدارد، کلیه وزارت خانه ها و سازمانهای دولتی در اسناد و مکاتبات نامهای جدید را به کار ببرند، اصل تصویب نامه در دفتر نخست وزیر است، رونوشت برای اطلاع وزارت آموزش و پرورش ابلاغ می‌گردد، وزیر

 مشاور دکتر محمود کفشیان

Iranian Government Order on the Erasure of Arabic Geographical Names of Ahwaz cities and Their Replacement with new Persian Names

Iranian Government Order on the Erasure of Arabic Geographical Names of Ahwaz cities and Their Replacement with new Persian Names — July 14, 1935

Here’s the translation 

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July 14, 1935

Ministry of Education, Endowments, and Fine Art

To the Honorable Office of the Royal Court

Since, in the seventh session of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, with consideration of historical background and local associations, eight Persian words have been selected to replace eight Arabic geographical names of places in Khuzestan, as follows:

(Current Name / Proposed Name)

• Ḥuwayza (with ḍamma on the first letter and fatḥa on the second) → Hoveyzeh (with fatḥa on the first and kasra on the second)

• Bani Ṭaraf → Dasht-e Mishan

• Māl-e Amir → Izeh

• ‘Abbadan → Ābādān

• Basātīn → Bostān

• Muḥammara → Khorramshahr

• Fallāḥiyya → Shadegan

• Khafājiyya → Susangerd

It is requested that this matter be presented at the sacred royal presence (may our souls be sacrificed for him), so that upon His Majesty’s approval, it may be announced and put into effect.

Iranian confidential documents prohibiting Arab clothing in Ahwaz 1943

Iranian confidential documents prohibiting Arab clothing in Ahwaz 1943

**Ministry of Interior**

**Sixth Province**

**Confidential**

**Khuzestan Police Department – Ahwaz**

As has been observed in recent days in Khorramshahr (*Mohammerah*), most of the residents there have recently been wearing *keffiyeh* and *agal*, presenting themselves in an Arab manner. It is a matter of surprise that the police officers have, contrary to the supreme interests of the Imperial State, neglected the enforcement of the uniform dress law.

Although verbal instructions have already been given to the Chief of Police of Khorramshahr (*Mohammerah*) to strictly prevent such demonstrations, this letter is to further remind your office to issue an order that police officers everywhere must closely monitor the situation and not allow anyone, contrary to the laws of the country and the policy of the Imperial State, to wear Arab clothing *keffiyeh* and *agal*.

Date: 1322/3/1 (Solar Hijri calendar)

Governor of the Sixth Province

A copy of the above statement is hereby submitted to the Ministry of Interior for their information. – Governor of the Sixth Province

Source of document: "The Unveiling Hejab Incident: Unpublished Documents on the Unveiling Hejab Event in the Era of Reza Shah", by Masoumeh Farshchi, Soghra Esmaeilzadeh, Morteza Jafari, Organization of Cultural Documents of the Islamic Revolution, p. 428 

1931, confidental Iranian Foreign Ministry document ordered a ban on Arabic songs in Ahwaz cities

1931, confidental Iranian Foreign Ministry document ordered a ban on Arabic songs in Ahwaz cities — fearing music would fuel Arab national pride

Translation

"To the Esteemed Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In the cities of Mohammerah, Abbadan, and Nāsirī (the capital of Ahwaz), it has been observed that most coffeehouses equipped with phonographs play Arabic records and compositions. These songs have a particular influence on the morale of the population there, who are predominantly Arab, and they strengthen their sense of national belonging. This matter has gone unnoticed by most people.

Since a direct ban on their use would have adverse effects, I suggest that you instruct the Ministry of Customs to prohibit the import of non-Persian music records. In cases where prohibition is not possible, impose heavy customs duties on non-Persian records so that people cannot afford them and will abandon them entirely. Only instrumental records with no lyrics may be exempted, so that the public becomes accustomed solely to Persian records.

In Basra (IRAQ) , despite the large number of Iranians there, Persian records are not used. If a Persian coffeehouse owner plays a Persian record, the customers protest and disperse, because such national feelings have not yet been instilled among the Iranian people.

State officers must closely monitor these matters so that the public becomes aware of its national duties and learns the meaning of love for the homeland"

Source: Archives and National Library of Iran — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1931

Arabistan ship

ARABISTAN SHIP

The British maritime tradition often involved naming vessels after individuals or regions of notable significance. In this regard, Arabistan (Al-Ahwaz) emerged as a region of particular importance in the middle east and Arabian gulf region. Consequently, two British ships were named Arabistan, one in 1912 and the other in 1929.

Excerpts from Al-Omran Magazine 1923

An excerpt from Al-Omran Magazine by Anataki, Volume 13, Part 8, published in September 1923. The text describes Sheikh Khazal as the "Hero of the Arabs in the Twentieth Century." It captures the historical event of his return from Basra to Ahwaz, with the people eagerly waiting along the streets to greet his royal procession. The excerpt reads:

فليعيش بطل العرب في القرن العشرين، مولانا الشيخ خزعل خان المعظم 

رجوع عظمة سيدنا و مولانا السردار الأقدس من البصرة إلى الأهواز، لحضرة مكاتب العمران في الأهواز. 

في الساعة العاشرة من الصباح الخميس ٢٧ يونيو هرع الناس زرافات الشوارع التي سيمر بها الموكب الخزعلي الملوكي عائداً من زيارته في البصرة وسيما الفرح مكللة وجوههم.

Long live the hero of the Arabs in the twentieth century, Our Master Sheikh Khazal Khan Al-Mu'azzam. 

The return of His Excellency, Our Master and Our Lord the Sacred Commander, from Basra to Ahwaz, to the esteemed offices of Al-Omran in Ahwaz. 

At ten o'clock on Thursday, June 27, the people hurried in groups along the streets through which the Khazali royal procession would pass, returning from his visit to Basra, their faces adorned with joy and smiles.

King Abdulaziz's letter to Shaikh Khaz'al

 

Arabic transcript: 

الرياض ۲۱ ربیع الثانی ۱۳۴۲

من عبدالعزیر بن عبدالرحمن الفیصل الی حضرة المكرم الافخم ذوي المكارم والشيم معز السلطنة سردار الارفع الشيخ خزعل المرداو المحترم دام بقائه

بعد التحية ومزيد السلام عليكم ورحمة الله و بركاته، على الدوام مع السوال عن شريف خاطركم دمتم بخير وسرور

وعنا ونحمد الله تعالى على نعمه بخير واحوالنا من كرمه تعالى جميلة ادام الله علينا و عليكم نعمه، لنا مدة عن محرراتكم [الـ... ] ان تكونوا مشغولين بخير، اخبارنا صحه ولاجد مايوجب افادة حضرتكم به سوى دوام الخير والسعادة، الأمطار كثيرة و غزيرة وعامة جميع نجد الله تعالى يتابع بالخير ويجعل فيها البركة ويعم به اوطان [عبا..] هذا ما لزم تعريفه وسلامنا للأنجال الكرام و منا سيدي الوالد والاخوة والعيال يسلمون والله تعالى يحفظكم محروسين

English Translation

Riyadh, 21 Rabi’ al-Thani 1342 AH (1 December 1923)

From Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal to the esteemed, honorable, and noble Mu'ezz al-Sultanate, Sardar Arfa' Sheikh Khaz‘al Al-Murdaw, may his prosperity endure.  

After greetings and sending you abundant peace, may Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you always. I inquire about your well-being and hope you remain in good health and happiness.  

As for us, we praise Allah for His blessings; we are in good condition, and by His grace, our affairs are favorable. May Allah continue to bestow His blessings upon us and upon you. It has been a while since we received correspondence from you, and we assume you are occupied with good matters.  

There is nothing significant to report on our end, except that all is well, and we wish for your continued prosperity and happiness. The rainfall has been abundant and widespread across all of Najd, and we pray that Allah follows it with further goodness, brings blessings through it, and makes it beneficial to all lands.  

This is what needed to be conveyed. Our greetings to your honorable sons. My father, brothers, and children also send their regards. May Allah protect you and keep you safe.