Introduction
In the quest to make a difference in the political environment of the country, Indonesia settles for the Islam Shariah law. Moreover, the Like most desires in various governments, the existence of order among its citizens is a significant aspect that not only promotes peace and smooth governing but ensures the communities and its people follow a defined acceptable lifestyle.
Feelings the Article Evoked in me
The article ‘Indonesian Province Embraces Islam Law’ highlighted by Jane Perlez (2006) has evoked complicated and mixed feelings in me. It is refreshing to identify that law and order is a fundamental element required in the various governments. Moreover, it is clear that different countries are making use of specified techniques and policies that aids in ensuring that the citizens are in alignment with the implemented laws. Personally, while the intentions of making use of Shariah law in Indonesia may be of good intentions, the impact on the citizen’s self-esteem, health and character are demining. Moreover, the laws enhance the inability of the citizens to live freely out of fear of being punished for minor faults. On the other hand, I feel that the strict rules applied in maintaining law and order in Indonesia will only arouse rebellion amongst its people promoting a wild environment that may pose high insecurity to its people and the country. The shariah law as affirmed by the author indicates biases amongst different people. For instance, women are likely to face severe punishments for minor offenses that include the lack of a headscarf even while in their private rooms. On the other hand, there is a significant disparity in the ratio of the wealthy and the poor who get punished. Most people who are publicly punished are the poor, which raises a question as to why it is so.
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External Factors that Impact the Evolution of this Culture
As highlighted earlier, Indonesia’s quest to have a reformed country from the harsh political environment it faced under the leadership of President Soeharto was one of the reasons it embraced the Islam Sharia law. According to James Hoesterey (2012), president Soeharto was threatened by the Muslim leadership, and in most cases, he would imprison them to deal with the menace he felt. Furthermore, the president deemed the Muslim leaders as traitors pronouncing the dismantling of Islamic groups in the country. Under his regime, Pancasila was the only ideology acceptable for practice amongst Indonesians. The use of Islamic law was also considered a better option for controlling the behaviors of its citizens mostly methods of western cultures. In 2004, some of the provinces in Indonesia were struck by Tsunami a tragedy that incurred extensive damages in the country. As a result from all these events that not only affected the political, social and economic stability of the nation, many of its citizens supported the need to follow Islam and its laws to ensure transformed lives experienced among its people. Aceh is one of the core provinces in Indonesia that has strictly applied the Sharia laws. Its geographic placement has dictated its strict adherence to Islam and Shariah. According to Kira Kay (2014), Aceh is at the northern part of Indonesia and closer to Mecca a highly regarded place in Islam region.
Impact that barriers to Communication had on my reaction
It is evident that various individuals possess the feeling of superiority in their beliefs and cultural practices hence ethnocentricity. For instance, the former leader of Indonesia would go the extra mile of imprisoning individuals who did not adhere to the practice of Pancasila especially Muslim leaders. Furthermore, the same case was observed after Islam took over the nation, most of its leaders wanted to make the law a mandate to everyone including non-Muslims. The bill that deterred illicit relationships promoted the stereotype that two individuals of the opposite sex cannot be just friends or workmates without them being involved sexually. Such negative perceptions in most cases were severe on women than men. Women would not be allowed to come close to a male counterpart unless they were their relative or husband. When such incidences occurred, the woman was more likely to be punished than the man.
While the primary intent of applying Shariah law in Indonesia was to facilitate regeneration of the country, the effects it had on its people is dehumanizing. It is the right of any citizen in any state to feel safe under the watch of the government. Contrary to this, the practice of caning in public places over minor offenses has encouraged the continuous invasion of privacy by police-men in people’s lives. As it is, ethnic gloss in Indonesia tampers with the freedom of women from taking up specific jobs or having the opportunity to relax as women at their own time and place. Women tend to be constraint from living a free life due to the demands outlined in the shariah expected to be followed (Emont, 2017).
How the Information can assist me as a Health Practitioner
It is very vital to understand the cultural practices of different people from various communities as a health practitioner. Besides respect, the knowledge of different cultures will facilitate understanding between my patients, fellow colleagues, and I. For instance, attending to an Indonesian patient of the opposite sex will require the need of assistance from a colleague of the same sex as the patient. That way, the patients will not feel intruded or their privacy invaded by a practitioner of the opposite sex. Moreover, in case of having the chance to work with Indonesian health practitioners, it will be easier to mingle and associate with them respecting some their strict laws that may not apply to me. As a colleague to an Indonesian Muslim practioner, it is easier to accommodate their need to prayer five times in a day. Hence, as a team player I will have to adhere to the need to attend to some tasks without their presence while they pray. On the other hand, as a practitioner, in case I get the chance to work in an Indonesian health facility, the ability to comply to the rules and regulations put in place for the citizens will be much easier with the understanding of what is required.
Conclusion
Culture, beliefs and religious practices have played a significant role in shaping the behaviours and habits of the people in question. Caning in the Indonesian people for failing to adhere to the laws is dehumanizing and contributes to the lack of freedom among the people. On the other hand, the laws are observed to be more severe on certain individuals than in others. Women, have to face extreme measures probably due to their gender promoting inequality amongst the citizens. The laws have failed to face the sensitive areas that deeply affect the country’s stability and economy like corruption and poverty. It is logic to embrace laws that favor the development and growth of citizens rather than applying those that will enhance their inability to freely express themselves or take up certain positions in the society. Therefore, as in the case of the Indonesian laws, the rights of its citizens must be put into consideration and their well-being.
References
Esmont, J. (2017, January 12). As Shariah Experiment Becomes a Model, Indonesia’s Secular Face Slips . Retrieved February 22, 2018, from New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/world/asia/indonesia-sharia-law-aceh.html
Hoestery, J. B. (2012, June 17). Shari’a and Civil Society: Lessons from Indonesia . Retrieved February 22, 2018, from The Islamic Monthly - TIM: https://www.theislamicmonthly.com/sharia-and-civil-society-lessons-from-indonesia/#
Perliez, J. (2006, August 1). Indonesian Province Embraces Islamic Law . Retrieved February 22, 2018, from New York Tirmes : http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/01/world/asia/01indo.html
