Source: San Jose Mercury News
SAN JOSE, U.S.A., November 20, 2002: When leaders of the Hindu Temple and Community Center asked the city to abandon Persian Drive and rename it Mandir Drive after the Hindi name for “temple,” it started an emotional feud of national pride between local Indian and Iranian Americans. Stunned by a sudden outburst of objections by local Iranians, the temple withdrew its proposal last week at a city council hearing, but temple officials still plan to pursue their request. Both sides say they want a compromise, but they are also equally adamant that their heritage and cultural contributions somehow be represented along the nondescript, two-lane road. The Hindu Temple has occupied an office building at 430 Persian Drive for a decade. “We are 11 percent of the population of Sunnyvale, and this is one of the largest community centers in Northern California,” said Naranji Patel, president of the temple that serves 5,300 families. “We thought we could get recognition from the city for this, and that might bring more people to the temple, and we could leave a legacy for our children.” More than a week ago, local Iranians heard of the proposal to banish the historical name of their homeland from city maps. Iran was called Persia for centuries until 1935, and “Persian” is still used to refer to a language and ethnicity. “The word Persian resonates with profound meaning to Iranians, the way Thomas Jefferson resonates with Americans,” said Shahin Tabrizi, former president of the Persian Center in Berkeley. “Persian has deep emotions for us.” Iranian-Americans say they are especially sensitive to the name change because of anti-Middle Eastern sentiment in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Temple officials say they meant no disrespect. While local Iranians are grateful the temple withdrew its request, both sides are trying hard to be conciliatory and polite and to work out a solution.