Violating the Sharia Law, 16 People Flogged in Aceh

TEMPO Interactive, Banda Aceh: A total of 16 people convicted of violating Islamic law (sharia) in West Aceh and Nagan Raya were flogged in front of the Grand Mosque Baitul Makmur Meulaboh on Wednesday, December 12.The 16 people convicted of violating the sharia by the Syariah Court of West Aceh consist of gamblers (maisir), and people accused of indecent behavior (khalwat). They were flogged using a rattan cane for nine to 12 times, witnessed by hundreds of people.The flogging was carried out after the mid-day prayer (Dhuhur), ending before the mid-afternoon prayer (Asr). "They are convicts of maisir and khalwat that has been dealt with since 2009," said Head of Municipal Police and Wilayatul Hisbah (Sharia Police) of West Aceh, Jhon Aswir.Aswir said that the execution of flogging is the local governments commitment to enforce Islamic law in Aceh. On the occasion, he invited the public to cooperate in enforcing the sharia.The implementation of flogging as punishment in Aceh took effect since the region applied Islamic law in 2001. A number of Qanun (Regional Regulation) was prepared to support the policy. In accordance to the rule within a number of Qanuns, flogging is only applicable in three areas of violations, khalwat (indecent behavior or adultery), khamar (drinking alcohol) and maisir (gambling).ADI WARSIDI