Indonesian Islamic Law - Essay Example

Indonesian Islamic LawIntroductionThe world is now in the midst of an intense debate about the manner in which Islam is increasing coming under pressure on account of the terror related activities around the globe. The perpetrators of terror have been doing this in the name of Jihad, i.e. a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal. But we take a look at all the terror acts; it is found that these anti-social elements have little respect for humanity and human values.

Though Islam is a very rich in its preaching as a tolerant religion, but the way some practitioners have implemented the Islamic rulings and teachings have certainly not helped the cause. The Indonesian example is one such example, which appears quite cruel for an ordinary person.1. What were your initial feelings (not thoughts) about the article? It was indeed quite upsetting to find how cruel we human beings can be towards each other, just in the name of Islam. Indonesian people are yet to come out of the trauma they experienced during the Tsunami when the Shariah laws are being implemented in Aceh province in a manner which reminds us of the Stone Age.

On the one hand we are talking about equality in the society, women are entering fields which were till recently considered difficult for them, but on the other hand we have the example of women being prosecuted for working on a Sunday afternoon with her boss working in another room. Are we the citizens of the same world order?2. What, specifically, (if anything) troubled you about this article? I felt peeved at the manner in which a lady is being shoved out of a hotel lobby, where she was having conversation with two of her lady friend, and the male colleagues standing nearby kept laughing and booing at them.

Nobody thought it fit to reason out with the police officials that they are not doing anything illegal in the hotel lobby. What is more troubling is, what message is being sent out about Islamic laws by such an action?3. Identify cultural values specific to your own culture that impacted upon how you reacted/responded to this article. My culture has given me the values and teaching which do not allow ill-treatment of the female members of the society for the simple reason that they are born as female.

Equality in the society is the norm as far as I’ve learnt. I sincerely feel that laws are meant to protect the humanity and not to torture them in the name of religion.4. Analyze how ethnocentricity can impact the way in which you reacted to this article.Ethnocentricity implies that an individual tends to focus more on the specific ethnic group he or she belongs to. In general it can be considered as a normal human tendency, but in this case we have a nation which has to take care of so many issues at home for development of its citizens, reconstruction of the infrastructure destroyed during the Tsunami disaster, political issues etc.

But focus is being given to the age old Shariah laws instead. When a port city like Aceh, known in the past as a wonderful tourist destination, is being signaled out by the Indonesian government for experimenting with the Shariah laws in a manner that lacks the sobriety and values being preached by the religion, it raises doubts about the capability of the government to take the nation ahead.ConclusionHaving gone through the article and comparing it with the advice of the California Endowment, we find the Indonesian government is not doing any good to the people by tormenting them in the name of religious preaching.

The foremost priority of a government is to look after the interests of its citizens and to undertake forward looking developmental activities. We tend to form our beliefs, values, norms, stereotypes and biases based on the surroundings we live, but we should be tolerant enough to respect the values and beliefs of others as well.Reference article:1. Perlez, Jane (2006). ‘Indonesian Province Embraces Islamic Law, and Canings’. New York Times. Late Edition (East Coast). Aug 1, 2006. pg. A.3