Local Time
Surabaya
Weather
HazeHaze 23 oC
Humidity: 94%

Mon 75 - 84 oF » Chance of Rain «
Tue 77 - 84 oF » Chance of Storm «
Wed 77 - 84 oF » Chance of Storm «
Home Our Blogs Islam In Aceh

Islam In Aceh

Aceh is strategically located and was long time an important regional trading center and thus became used to people and influences from all over the world. Religion is important in Aceh. It was from Aceh Islam spread out all over Indonesia, even to Malaysia and Southern Thailand. The Acehnese are devout Muslims.

They respect all other religions as long as they themselves are respected. The recent war/fighting in Aceh was purely political and had nothing to do with religion. Sometimes the opposite was claimed in foreign media. In Banda Aceh the main Mosque (Mesjid Raya Baiturrahman) is just a few hundred meters from the Catholic Cathedral and a bit further away are Protestant Churches and a Buddhist Temple.

The Shariat is a part of Islam. It is a set of rules for how to behave and dress, for example the head scarf or "Jilbab" for women. It is normally a matter of personal belief; however, in Aceh these rules are now enforced by Dinas Shariat (a government Shariat Authority). The Dinas Shariat was a request from a political elite and supported by Jakarta as they thought it was what the Acehnese wanted. The former guerillas, GAM, never asked for it and it seems that many or most Acehnese are less happy about the system. In some areas the rules are hardly enforced, especially in remote or smaller places like Pulau Weh and Pulau Banyak.

The rules are only valid for Muslims. They do not allow sale of beer, but in most tourist places, beer is allowed for non-Muslims.

It is common to mix up religious rules and traditions. Many traditions are wrongly stamped as religious rules. It is important to respect both. As responsible tourists we must respect the local way of life. Many areas in Aceh are still very traditional. This fact offers a huge opportunity for a visitor to learn about another culture and see something real. However, in order to let the local community to develop in a way they prefer, respect them and try to adhere to the rules. That is a part of eco-tourism and keeps tourism sustainable.

Quoted from :http://www.sumatraecotourism.com/islaminaceh.html

Supported by : JavaTourism.com | Lintang Buana Tourism Services | Java-Adventure.com| Javabikers.com | Liburs.com|TourSumatra.com | FloresTour.com

Product Listing
Mt Bromo and Ijen Crater Join-in-Tour
Join our weekly Mt Bromo and Ijen Crater Join-in-Tour leave Surabaya every Friday and return back on Sunday afternoon (or drop of at Ketapang Ferry Terminal midday. It's only USD195/person - minimum 2 persons/booking
East Java Adventure in 8 Days 7 Nights
Combination between the adventure places, scenic view, man-made heritage, historical and cultural site in East Java. Visit Mt. Bromo, Baluran National Park and Tabuhan Island
East Java Exploration in 8 Days 7 Nights

Visit almost all of the adventure places in East Java. Mt. Bromo with its sunrise, Baluran National Park where you can enjoy the panorama of savannah, Tabuhan Island where you could find spectacular marine gardens and Ijen Crater which famous with the sulfur miner and a beautiful crater lake on top of it
East Java Hidden Treasure Tour in 5 Days / 4 Nights
Experience the white water rafting, enjoy the beautiful sunrise at Mt. Bromo, and trekking up to Ijen Crater, rest in the mountainous resort with beautiful panorama at Kalibaru plus an adventure to Sukamade Beach to see endangered turtles.
Chat with Us