World
Women caught wearing tight pants given skirt in Aceh
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-28 12:37
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Sharia police give advice to women caught wearing tight pants during a street raid in Arongan Lambalek district in Indonesia's West Aceh province May 26, 2010. [Agencies] |
MEULABOH, Indonesia - Authorities in a devoutly Islamic district of Indonesia's Aceh province have distributed 20,000 long skirts and prohibited shops from selling tight dresses as a regulation banning Muslim women from wearing revealing clothing took effect Thursday.
The long skirts are to be given to Muslim women caught violating the dress code during a two-month campaign to enforce the regulation, said Ramli Mansur, head of West Aceh district.
During raids Thursday, Islamic police caught 18 women traveling on motorbikes who were wearing traditional headscarves but were also dressed in jeans. Each woman was given a long skirt and her pants were confiscated. They were released from police custody after giving their identities and receiving advice from Islamic preachers.
"I am not wearing sexy outfits, but they caught me like a terrorist only because of my jeans," said Imma, a 40-year-old housewife who uses only one name. She argued that wearing jeans is more comfortable when she travels by motorbike.
Motorbikes are commonly used by both men and women in Indonesia.
"The rule applies only to Muslim residents in West Aceh," Mansur told said. "We don't enforce it for non-Muslims, but are asking them to respect us."
