By Taher Shir Mohammadi – Deutsche Welle Persian – July 30, 2011
The Central Bank of Iran has conducted a survey regarding changing the name of the country’s currency. One of the proposed names to replace the "rial" is "Parsi." Interviews with two experts delve into this topic.
The Central Bank’s plan to remove four zeros from the national currency has not sparked as much debate as the proposed name change for Iran’s currency.
Mahmoud Bahmani, the Governor of the Central Bank, stated that a name change is a novel experience for the country. He explained, “For the new currency name, we have asked the public to choose through a survey, and we will proceed with whatever the people want. Names like Parseh, Pars, and Noor have been suggested by the public.”
Shamseddin Hosseini, Minister of Economy and government spokesperson, also encouraged Iranian internet users to share their opinions on naming the new currency. Speaking to ISNA, he clarified that some options for the new currency name have been considered, but nothing has been finalized yet. Once finalized, the proposal will be submitted to Parliament.
Seeking an Iranian Name
Mansour Vaezi, Secretary of the Public Culture Council, told IRNA that council members have reached a consensus on changing the national currency’s name. After extensive consultations, the council decided that the currency's name should reflect Iran’s "greatness and strength." Vaezi emphasized that most council members agree on choosing an “Iranian” name.
Criticism from a Tabriz Representative
Some proposed names have sparked sensitivity. Ahad Kheiri, a Tabriz MP and member of the Parliament’s Economic Commission, criticized the name change. In an interview with IRNA, he argued: “Since the rial and toman have been ingrained in the public for years, changing the name is unnecessary. Changing the national currency’s name will undoubtedly lead to side issues that could challenge society.”
While discussions about potential new names for Iran’s currency continue, experts warn that selecting certain names could marginalize ethnic groups further, deepening social divides.
A Repeated Historical Mistake in Iran
Dr. Mohammad Barghaei, an anthropologist, emphasized the sensitivity of ethnic groups over the choice of a new name. Speaking to Deutsche Welle, he stated:
“Iran is a mosaic of diverse ethnic groups that have been preserved throughout history. We have a bitter historical experience from the Pahlavi era, starting with Reza Shah, when centralization became the nation’s identity, leading to pressure on various ethnic and cultural identities. I’ve detailed this in my book on Baluchistan, and we saw the same in Kurdistan. Iran is highly sensitive, with ethnic groups under pressure. Sunnis are not allowed to build mosques, and they do not have equal rights in law or practice.”
Warning Against Unrest
Barghaei further highlighted the current social pressures within the country:
“During Khatami’s presidency, a single inappropriate comment in Azerbaijan led to unrest. Baluchistan is like a ticking bomb. Religious leaders are arrested, and similar issues exist among Arabs, Kurds, and in Turkmen Sahra. These people are treated as second-class citizens. Thus, emphasizing centralization and a singular Persian culture over others will create unnecessary unrest. Even if the majority favors a name like ‘Parsi,’ which represents the Persian ethnicity or the dominant group, it will provoke sensitivities among other ethnic groups.”
Denying the Identity of Iran’s Nationalities
Dr. Sedigheh Adalati, an Azerbaijani-Iranian sociologist based in Germany, believes the name change for the national currency should not further marginalize Iran’s "nationalities." In her interview with Deutsche Welle, she emphasized:
“In the past, policies restricting mother tongues denied the existence of these nationalities. Now, with this proposal, ethnic discrimination in Iran is being exacerbated. The term ‘Parsi’ is specific to one nationality, but other nationalities also live in Iran. The official language is Persian, and other languages have been marginalized. The Iranian currency, the rial, doesn’t carry the name of any nationality or ethnicity—it belongs to all nationalities and ethnicities in the country. Changing it to ‘Parsi’ denies the existence and identity of other groups.”
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| Dr. Sedigheh Adalati |
Criticism of "Persian-Centric" Tendencies
Dr. Adalati also criticized what she termed “Persian-centric” policies in Iran. She cited the renaming of Iran’s national football team as “Persian Stars” during the 2006 FIFA World Cup as an example.
She noted:
“Previously, the national football team’s name was changed to ‘Persian Stars.’ However, not all players on the national team were Persian; they represented various ethnicities. Azerbaijani representatives, in particular, objected to this. Continuing such policies further denies the nationalities living in the country and socially harms the fabric of society.”
What Motivates the Government’s Actions?
The government has justified the move as part of efforts to reform Iran’s currency. However, the debate over renaming the currency has overshadowed the technical issue of removing zeros.
Dr. Barghaei explained:
“The current government is doing this to proclaim itself as the true Iranian. We saw a similar issue with the Cyrus Cylinder event. Such moves aim to evoke national pride to distract from political mistakes. In their view, ethnic groups hold little significance. We’ve experienced this under Reza Shah, where emphasizing one ethnicity caused significant problems.”
At the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition inauguration, then-President Ahmadinejad symbolically draped a keffiyeh around a statue of Cyrus.
A Neutral Solution
Although the Central Bank’s website has hosted a wide range of suggestions for the currency’s name, experts agree that the new name should be neutral—devoid of any ethnic connotations. This approach ensures all groups feel included.
Dr. Barghaei cautioned:
“Even if ‘Parsi’ wins the majority vote, the rights of minorities must not be trampled. The Shah made a similar mistake by introducing the Shahanshahi calendar, which triggered strong reactions. If this happens again, it will provoke ethnic sensitivities and cause significant trouble for the government.”
Dr. Adalati echoed this sentiment, warning that such a change could have a negative societal impact across the country.
Editorial Team: Abbas Kooshk Jalali
The link to the original article in Farsi on DW:
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