Aceh, Syari'ah

Abstract: Drawing on my fieldwork journey with Professor James T. Siegel, this article examines the implementation of Syari'ah (Islamic law) in Aceh, Indonesia. It explores the political motivations behind the introduction of Syari'ah in 1999 and analyzes its evolution following the 2004 tsunami and the peace agreement that ended three decades of separatist conflict in the region. My work also reflects the broader implications of Syari'ah implementation, focusing on how the ulama (religious authorities) and provincial government navigated the post-conflict landscape to maintain their influence and legitimacy. Through personal anecdotes and ethnographic fieldwork conducted from 2007 to 2015, this article captures interactions with diverse segments of Acehnese society, including tsunami survivors and victims of moral policing. Central to the discussion is the controversial practice of public caning, with detailed accounts of punishment ceremonies and their public reception, exposing the inherent tensions between local practices, Islamic values, and contemporary legal frameworks.