Anti-Shariah Movement Allegedly Discovered in Aceh
~~By Jakarta Globe
~~By Jakarta Globe
 |
| A masked and hooded person canes Indonesian food seller Murni Amris for violating Shariah law outside a mosque in Jantho, Aceh, in this October 1, 2010 file photo. (AFP Photo/Chaideer Mahyuddin) |
June 8, 2013: Banda Aceh. The government in Aceh has claimed that a social media movement aiming to discredit Shariah law in the province exists, though it has refused to provide any details on who may be carrying out the conspiracy.
“We recognize there are still parties who are unhappy with the implementation Islamic Shariah in Aceh,” Syahrizal Abbas, the head of Aceh’s provincial Shariah agency, said on Friday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Syahrizal urged all parties in the province to use mass media and social media to promote positive perceptions of Islam.
Yasir Yusuf, the head of the Aceh branch of the IKADI, echoed Syahrizal’s sentiments and stated that he has observed efforts which aim to undermine the Islamization of Aceh.
“Their movement is really academic and systematic. It involves social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter,” Yasir, who is also a professor at an Islamic Institute in Banda Aceh, stated.
He also claimed that the group behind the scheme often held biased discussions on Shariah, or Islamic law based on the teachings of the Koran.
“Their talks quote national and international media sources, even though such news is formatted to create stereotypes about Islamic Shariah in Aceh,” Yasir asserted.
The implementation of Shariah law, which nominally applies to all Muslims in the province, including police officers and government officials, has long been criticized by human rights groups.
Recently, North Aceh’s district head banned all adult women from dancing when welcoming guests in North Aceh because such actions “damage Islamic Shariah values.”
Additionally, a police officer was publicly caned for violating Shariah law last month.
Courtesy: Jakarta Global“We recognize there are still parties who are unhappy with the implementation Islamic Shariah in Aceh,” Syahrizal Abbas, the head of Aceh’s provincial Shariah agency, said on Friday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Syahrizal urged all parties in the province to use mass media and social media to promote positive perceptions of Islam.
Yasir Yusuf, the head of the Aceh branch of the IKADI, echoed Syahrizal’s sentiments and stated that he has observed efforts which aim to undermine the Islamization of Aceh.
“Their movement is really academic and systematic. It involves social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter,” Yasir, who is also a professor at an Islamic Institute in Banda Aceh, stated.
He also claimed that the group behind the scheme often held biased discussions on Shariah, or Islamic law based on the teachings of the Koran.
“Their talks quote national and international media sources, even though such news is formatted to create stereotypes about Islamic Shariah in Aceh,” Yasir asserted.
The implementation of Shariah law, which nominally applies to all Muslims in the province, including police officers and government officials, has long been criticized by human rights groups.
Recently, North Aceh’s district head banned all adult women from dancing when welcoming guests in North Aceh because such actions “damage Islamic Shariah values.”
Additionally, a police officer was publicly caned for violating Shariah law last month.
