The Iranian hosts of this year's Islamic Solidarity Games have reportedly cancelled them after bickering with Saudi Arabia over the name of the large body of water (we're being very careful here) lying between the two countries.
This being a longstanding feud between the two nations, Tehran balked when two officials from Saudi Arabia's Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation announced today that Arab states will participate in the October games only if the term "Persian Gulf" is replaced with "Arabian Gulf" or "Gulf" on official materials.
But after investing some $10 million to host the events, and presumably producing medals and brochures with the offending "Persian Gulf," Iran declared game over.
Coincidentally (or not), Tehran held a conference today exploring the historical background of the term "Persian Gulf."
Not the best start for games promoting Islamic solidarity.
This being a longstanding feud between the two nations, Tehran balked when two officials from Saudi Arabia's Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation announced today that Arab states will participate in the October games only if the term "Persian Gulf" is replaced with "Arabian Gulf" or "Gulf" on official materials.
But after investing some $10 million to host the events, and presumably producing medals and brochures with the offending "Persian Gulf," Iran declared game over.
Coincidentally (or not), Tehran held a conference today exploring the historical background of the term "Persian Gulf."
Not the best start for games promoting Islamic solidarity.