In the Name of Syariah?: Vigilante Violence, Territoriality, and Moral Authority in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

This essay looks at the views and actions of vigilantes, community leaders, and state agents with regard to the dynamics of public morality and vigilante violence in Aceh. Post-conflict, post-tsunami Aceh is a society in flux, and in recent years concerns about “correct” behavior have been propelled to the forefront of political debate. A central element of this process is the content and enforcement of Islamic law, or syariah , implemented in the region since the early 2000s. Some local activist and paramilitary groups have carried out raids, violent actions, and punishments to “help” the government implement and enforce syariah . Religious and political leaders occasionally support this violence as a proper way of dealing with moral decline, failing authorities, or both. Vigilante violence “in the name of syariah ,” while situated at the margins of social and political activism, is a reality in contemporary Aceh. However, in many cases, syariah is not the central issue. Instead, perpetrators, often local young males, point to the need of protecting the “good name” of their village through upholding local customs or village law. This article deals with broad social and political changes as well as specific cases of morality policing. Rather than view the outbreak of vigilante violence as a matter to be engaged either by the state or by “traditional” leaders, it demonstrates how these spheres of authority interact. Together, the cases discussed in this article show that the concept of, and control over, village territories constitutes a central aspect of the struggle for moral authority and vigilante violence in contemporary Aceh.