Tajikistan Swastika

(Dushanbe, Tajikistan) Tajik historians maintain that Tajiks are of Indo-European or Aryan origin and, as a consequence, the authorities in Dushanbe have adopted a stylized version of the swastika as the national symbol. Tajik officials contend that the swastika is a symbol of Aryan culture that has existed for many centuries and has many interpretations. According to Abduhakim Sharipov, administration official,

"We all know that fascism used this symbol for its purposes. This symbol therefore carries negative connotations for many...[but] we should not limit ourselves to only one interpretation."

The authorities want the swastika to gain newer, positive connotations and popularize Aryan contributions to the history of the world civilization. My hope is that international pressure comes to bear on Tajikistan to reconsider its decision on the swastika.

As an aside, Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan and the sister city to Boulder, Colorado. So, don't be surprised if a few more swastikas show up in Boulder, arguably already one of the most left-leaning American cities.