Abstract

The 2004 tsunami disaster brings Aceh to the global attention to her long existing problems with the Java central government. Aceh was the entrance of Islam into the Malay world. 98.11% of the 4.1 million populations in the region are Muslims, and they have been the most pious believers in Indonesia. Because of her special status in Islamic history of the region, Aceh has been known as “Serambi Mekkah”. The first Islamic Pasai sultanate of the Malay world was established in Aceh in the 13th century. After collapse of the Melacca Sultanate, Aceh became commercial, religious and cultural centre of the Malay world. Aceh’s glorious history and Islamic traditions had great influence on the Malay world. Because of the special religious and cultural background, the Aceh independent movement (GAM) has always been deemed to be religious upheaval. Despite the Indonesian central government has made great concession to the GAM organization in religious affairs such as setting up a separate Islamic law system and religious educational institution, the conflicts between the former and the latter have never been settled with satisfaction. Therefore the Aceh secession appeal should not be viewed simply as a religious upheaval, but rather a multi-factor independent movement. This study is based on the “Secessionism Model of Integrity “theory by Alexis Heraclides to examine the relations amongst the Aceh secession movement, the Indonesian government, and the international organizations. This thesis will discuss the following themes: the consolidation of the Acehness Islamic nationhood (Darul Islam), the formation and development of the GAM, the influence of the Indonesian domestic policy and administration system, and the participation and influence of the NGOs.

Full Text
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