Las Vegas, U.S.A – For the 3rd annual World Swastika Rehabilitation Day, Raelians, together with representatives from the Buddhist and Hindu religions, are planning to carry out major events in cities throughout the Americas, Australia, and Africa on Saturday, June 23.

In Europe, Raelians from Germany and its surrounding countries have decided to use this opportunity to inform the German public about the swastika’s history, since most Germans completely ignore the swastika’s good standing as a very ancient symbol of peace for Buddhists and a symbol of good luck for numerous other cultures.

The city of Karlsruhe, where the event is to be held, has nevertheless banned Raelians from displaying any type of swastika except for the Raelian symbol, in which a swastika intertwines with a six-pointed star.

“According to an order issued by the Karlsruhe government on June 15, the display of swastikas would lead to ‘an immediate danger for the public safety and order” explained Thomas Kaenzig, coordinator of World Swastika Rehabilitation Day. “But how can a peaceful assembly explaining the religious and multicultural origin of this symbol be a threat to public safety? The attempt by the German government to bury the swastika under the pretext that it’s a symbol of violence and hatred only gives credit to the horrible Nazi ideology. On the contrary, the government should encourage our action, since by giving this symbol its true value, we finally allow the German people to turn the page.”

Kaenzig said that is exactly what 18 members of the European Parliament did in a letter to the European Commission dated February 21, 2005. “For Raelians, the swastika is one of the most prominent traces left by the extraterrestrial scientists who created us, who were mistaken for gods by our ancestors,” Kaenzig said.

“We can find this symbol in all ancient cultures: in Buddhist manuscripts, on Shinto temples in Japan, in traditional African and Native American artwork, absolutely everywhere. Even in Israel one can find numerous synagogues and other ancient sites displaying the swastika.And last but not least, the Bellevue castle of the German president in Berlin proudly displays swastikas without compromising public safety. The ban by the city of Karlsruhe is an insult not only for all Raelians, but also for all Buddhists, Hindus and Shintos who represent a majority of the world’s population. As a reminder, in 1988 the Munich appeals court has established that ‘use of the Raelian symbol obviously doesn’t contravene against the protection purposes of article 86a of the penal code and is hence not punishable under this statute.’”

Kaenzig said that despite the ban imposed by the city order, the group in favor of rehabilitating the swastika has decided to proceed with the event, which will start at 3 p.m. at the Kronenplatz in Karlsruhe.

He added that in the United States, demonstrations will take place in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Miami starting at 3 p.m. local time, and that large swastika banners will be flown in the skies of the Los Angeles area and along the New Jersey coastline from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time, and in the New York City area from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST.

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Imogiri is a royal graveyard located on the top of Imogiri Hill, almost 12 kilometers (7.46 miles) away from the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta. It was considered a burial place for the royal families in central Java before being converted into a cemetery. The families were the members of Mataram, Surakarta, and Yogyakarta Sultanates.

The graveyard was constructed during the 1640s by Sultan Agung of Mataram, and his body was the first to be buried in the highest shrine of the complex. The compound consists of three sections; the top section called Prabayasa, the middle section called Kemangdhungan, and other parts of the yard called Srimanganti

Although Sultan Agung of Mataram was a Muslim, the architecture of the cemetery has a lot of Hindu and Buddhist symbols and the graves were built in Hindu style.

After crossing the split gate (candi bentar) that lies at the top of the stairs, photography is officially prohibited. To visit Imogiri you should be prepared to walk up 200 meters (655 feet) long stairs with around 450 steps. It’s advisable to use the left and right handrails to prevent failing down while walking up.

The traveler should wear the traditional Javanese costumes while visiting Imogiri complex, and these clothes can be rented in gate of the cemetery for a modest fare. These clothes are available for both genders, and there are helpers to aid you in dressing them in the right Javanese way. The men must wear a traditional Javanese Jacket with a Sarong, which is a combination of a batik shirt with trousers and a teluk beskap. 

All the women must wear Kemben, even those who put scarfs on while entering the complex. The Kemben is a Javanese long waist band for woman with exposing shoulders and arms. A tradition shawl (selendang) will be given to the Muslim women if they are wearing scarves to hide their head, shoulders and arms.

There are no admission fees to get into the complex, although you can voluntary donate in the boxes at the beginning of the stairs. The grave complex is opened for public every Sunday, Monday and Friday, except during the month of Ramadan (the fasting month of Muslims) when it is totally closed.

Massive amounts of visitors come from all over Indonesia and other countries to the cemetery in the first day of the Eid  celebration ( an Islamic Feast), and also in the Suro month of the Javanese calendar (which corresponds with the Islamic month of Muharram). It is worth it to mention that the Imogiri name is diverted from the Sanskrit name of Himagiri, which means “The Mountain of snow.”

Finally, in order to reach to the Imogiri compound, tourists can use the Transjogja bus rapid transit from Yogyakarta downtown to the closest stop to Imogiri, and then walk less than 50 meters to get into the main gate. The other option is to take a direct taxi from your origin for a higher fare.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbamueller/

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