Hasan Tiro visits grave of loyalist
The Jakarta Post, Sigli | Wed, 10/15/2008 12:07 PM
Former Aceh resistance leader Hasan Di Tiro shed tears Wednesday morning at the grave of one of his loyalists, Usman Lampoh Awe, near the town of Sigli.
Usman, formerly a political prisoner and among the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders consulted on the peace agreement between GAM and the Indonesian government, died just recently, Oct. 3.
From Sigli, Hasan Tiro's entourage then headed to his home village, Tiro, in Pidie.
On the way, Tiro stopped at Daud Beureueh mosque, named after his late mentor.
Daud Beureueh, according to historical studies, regarded Indonesia's first president Sukarno had broken a promise made to him that Aceh would be allowed to practice Islamic law if Aceh continued to support the young Indonesian republic.
After years of armed struggle, the Indonesian government finally allowed Aceh to practice syariah in the province.
Tiro arrived in his homeland Aceh on Saturday, after 29 years of living in exile, mainly in Sweden. Now, he is a Swedish citizen.
During his stay in Aceh, he had visited a number of graves of Aceh heroes, including those of Sultan Iskandar Muda, respected ulema Syech Abdul Rauf and his ancestor and national hero Tengku Cik Di Tiro. (anr)
