My mother is Iranian (Zoroastrian) by birth. I lived in Iran during the Shah, and speak Persian.
The article to which you refer rings a bell - I might have read it a couple yrs ago on the web.
Yes, “inshallah” can be construed as not accepting personal responsibility. Don’t know about S. Arabia - in Iran “inshallah” (an Arabic-moslem-religious term) is also used interchangeably with the Persian word “Omidvaaram” which means “I hope or hopefully”. Omidvaaram has no religious meaning or connotations.
I used to joke with my fellow students who said they were “Persian” that I was “Macedonian”; but then Macedon became a nation again! Now I joke that I am a “Thracian”.
It is a silly joke, I know. The Persian people are the last ones who should catch any flak for the actions of the Iranian mullahs - and thus the avoidance of saying they are “Iranian”.
Is there a difference in meaning in the original language? Would saying “Persian” mean that you are of that race of people while “Iranian” means you are part of (or a supporter of) that nation/political system?
In English it sort of makes sense, but in another language the words might not even be different. Are they?