In order to protect Islamic Shariah law and a woman’s dignity, a district in Indonesia has advised restaurants and cafe owners to ban men and women from dining together if they are not closely related, Time reported. The order also prohibits serving women after 9 PM unless they are with heir husband or a male relative.
The head of Bireuen district’s Islamic Affairs office in northern Aceh province has sent across circulars urging the owners of eateries, coffee shops and dining spaces to strictly follow Islamic Shariah law and prevent unmarried men and women to dine together.
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Jufliwan, head of Bireuen district’s Islamic affairs office, said,
“Unmarried males and females who are not close relatives should not eat and drink at the same table, because it is sinful according to Shariah law.”
“The objective is to protect women’s dignity so they will feel more comfortable, more at ease, more well behaved and will not do anything that violates Sharia (Islamic law),” Jufliwan told AFP.
The notice also directed restaurants from hiring lesbians, gays, bisexual or transgender people as waiters, a report published by The Time stated.
Aceh province in Bireuen district is among the most conservative regions that strictly practice Shariah law.
In the past, the local parliament directed women to wear head scarves, avoid tight clothing, drinking, same-sex relation and gambling. If a woman is found guilty under any of these, she will be punished by public caning.
Feature image is a representational one.
