Hand, heart and handphone: State shari'a in the age of the SMS

Abstract

The state implementation of Islamic law in the special autonomous region of Aceh (Indonesia) presents a complex and compelling case for examining some of the central themes of this special issue, particularly the attempt to understand the complex entanglements of secular nation states with contemporary religious movements. These dynamics are particularly energized in contemporary Aceh, where a state-directed project for the formal implementation of shari'a has been pursued alongside broader agendas for social reconstruction following the devastating 2004 tsunami and the subsequent end of decades of violent conflict between the 'Free Aceh Movement' (GAM) and the central Indonesian government. This article explores a heretofore un-examined source base - that of 'Text Messages (SMS) to the Editor' printed in a local newspaper - to gain new perspective on local debates over the role of Islam and official state structures in building a 'new Aceh'. This material presents a striking example of the complexity and contestation of popular discourses on Islamic law and society well beyond the realm of specialist spokesmen. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.