I

am eagerly awaiting a brand-new government and courageous new leaders, including, of course, devout but rational, wise, sensible Muslims, who will once and for all put a definite end to the human rights violations, abuse and blatant brutality that the Aceh provincial administration has been imposing on its unfortunate citizens with its Qanun Acara Jinayat, a sharia-based criminal code. Even if it is true that Qanun Acara Jinayat stipulates rules and punishments governing behavior according to Islamic law, this law, which only covers religious affairs, worship and religious symbols '€” khamar (the consumption of alcoholic drinks), maisir (gambling) and khalwat (affectionate contact between an unmarried couple) '€” is still extremely lacking in substance as it does not have qanun on, among other things, corruption and rape.

This would be ludicrous indeed if it wasn'€™t so tragic '€” and very tragic it is. Just look at the results. A woman was raped brutally, and she, the one who suffered, is the one who must be caned.

Rape in the name of sharia? It should be called rape in the name of shaitan (devil) law.

Sensible people, including wise and learned Muslims, who peruse the Qanun Acara Jinayat, will wonder whether these qanun are really founded on the tenets of Islam, the '€œreligion of peace'€, or whether they are merely the foul and evil products of the minds of warped individuals who call themselves Muslims, but who have, by their own choice, distanced themselves from Allahu subhannahu wa'€™Taala (most sacred God) so far that they have apparently totally forgotten who He really is.

For the Creator is actually Al-Wadud (the loving), Ar-Rahman (the beneficent), Ar-Rachim (the merciful) and He is also Al-Ghafur (the all-forgiving), Al-'€™Adl (the just) as well as Ar-Ra'€™uf (the compassionate) and Ar-Rashid (the guide to the right path).

The sharia currently being practiced in Aceh is definitely contrary to Allah'€™s own characteristics and His divine laws. Those who believe themselves to be true Muslims and faithful to Him should get ready to immediately restore His authentic '€œreligion of peace'€ to Aceh and to all places in Indonesia where His laws are now being totally disregarded and even trampled underfoot. Otherwise, eventually Islam and its reputation will suffer, and suffer terribly.

Tami Koestomo
Bogor