Omitting “Balkhi” from Avicenna’s Name in Iran’s Embassy Note Sparks Controversy

On Saturday, 1st of Sunbula 1404 (August 23, 2025), the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement commemorating Abu Ali Sina (Avicenna), one of history’s greatest scholars, but notably omitted the epithet “Balkhi” from his name.

This decision triggered widespread reactions on social media, igniting heated debates, particularly among Iranians and Persian-speaking communities.

Avicenna, also known as Sheikh al-Rais or Ibn Sina, was a multifaceted figure whose contributions to philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and natural sciences remain profound.

Born in 980 CE near Bukhara, then part of the Samanid Empire, he earned the epithet “Balkhi” due to his association with Balkh, a prominent cultural and intellectual hub of the time.

This title not only reflects his geographical ties but also embodies the shared cultural heritage of Persian-speaking nations, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

The embassy’s choice to exclude “Balkhi” from its statement was perceived by many as an attempt to downplay Avicenna’s connection to Balkh and, by extension, the region’s shared cultural and historical legacy.

Social media platforms, particularly X, became a battleground for criticism, with users accusing the embassy of politicizing Avicenna’s legacy.

Many argued that Avicenna belongs to all of humanity and should not be confined within modern national borders.

The controversy underscores deep-seated cultural and historical sensitivities in the region. Avicenna, as a symbol of Islamic and Persian civilization, serves as a unifying figure for the peoples of these lands.

Omitting “Balkhi” is seen not merely as a linguistic choice but as an effort to reshape historical narratives in favor of a specific national identity.