Shari’a laws will be extended to non-Muslims in the Indonesian province of Aceh under a controversial new by-law approved in December.
Elements of shari’a are already in force in the territory but are applied only to Muslims. A Councillor, Abdulah Saleh, said: ‘The qanun does indeed oblige everyone in Aceh to follow shari’a without exception. It would be unfair if Muslims were punished while non-Muslims were not, just because shari’a violations are not stipulated in the criminal code.’
Three-time violators of dress code rules could be publicly caned. Shari’a laws that are in force in Aceh include the prohibition of alcohol and affectionate contact between unmarried couples.
As well as being extended to non-Muslims, the rules will also be applied to visitors to the province. The Islamic police will have the power to detain suspects and confiscate and raid their property. Non-Muslim violators of Aceh’s criminal code will be given the option of being tried by a shari’a court or a regular court. But if the matter in question is not covered by the criminal code, they will automatically be tried in a shari’a court. Even if acquitted by a shari’a court, the defendant will be required to undergo ‘rehabilitation’.
