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Voices from Aceh: perspectives on Syariat law (pdf 160kb)

This paper explores perspectives on implementing Syariat law in the Indonesian province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD).
It presents views on its ability to contribute to a just society and considers the implications of Islamic law in Aceh as Syariat laws become popular in other provinces.

The author argues that the implementation of Syariat law in Indonesia's autonomous province of NAD has received a great deal of attention over the last year, where the development of a Syariat legal system has been ongoing since 2001.

The paper concludes that the success of Syariat law depends on several issues that must be overcome including:
- Syariat Law is perceived by many to be a "gift" from the central government in Jakarta to the religious scholars and political elites of Aceh
- Greater efforts will have to be taken to ensure that Syariat law applies to the whole of Acehnese society
- More resources will have to be made available to the implementers of Syariat law in Aceh.

 

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