Saiful Bahri, Banda Aceh – Wilayatul Hisbah officers (Syariah/Islamic law police) detained five women that were considered to have violated Islamic law on the afternoon of Monday February 12.

The three women were escorted to the Lhokseumawe Syariah Islam Offices after being arrested on a street leading to the Rancung port in Batuphat at 5.30pm. “They were netted by one of our routine patrols, because they were not wearing Muslim clothing”, said the commander of the Wilayatul Hisbah Regiment, Said Zulkarnain.

The five women were between the ages of 16 and 23. “These arrests represent a warning to them to be more careful in [their] attitudes about clothing in the future”, Said added.

The five were given a warning and instructions on correct and proper Muslim dress before being returned to their parents. “After they signed a written agreement with us, they were immediately returned to their families though the village head in order to obtain follow up guidance”, Zulkarnain told Aceh Kita.

Zulkarnain appealed to all Acehnese citizens to wear Muslim clothing. “So that our intent and resolve to apply Islamic law can be fully realised”. [dzie]

[Slightly abridged translated by James Balowski.]