Islamic Court in Indonesia Sentences 2 Men to Public Caning for Hugging and Kissing

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia – In a strict ruling, an Islamic court in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province recently handed down a sentence of public caning to two men. The men were apprehended by Islamic religious authorities engaging in what was considered sexual behavior: hugging and kissing in public. The court deemed these acts inappropriate and a violation of Islamic law in the region. Consequently, the two men were each sentenced to 80 lashes as punishment for their actions. This public punishment serves as a harsh reminder of the strict enforcement of Islamic law in Aceh. The Aceh province follows Sharia law, which is known for its severe and punitive measures against behaviors considered immoral or prohibited.