Strict—Only on Paper

A number of areas are busily trumpeting the application of Islamic Syariah law. But in practice this may not be as easy as has been imagined. Just what are the constraints?

December 10, 2002

THE sun bore down on bare heads. The figures of two men slipped quietly into a shop via the back door. At first glance there was nothing special about this building on the corner of Jalan Panglima Polim, Banda Aceh. The same could be said about their reappearance. "As usual, a special order," quipped one of them. What were they carrying? Marijuana? Nothing so exotic. The five packages in their hands were simply connected with the business of th

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