Mathias Hariyadi

The practice is "recommended" and according to "tradition", although it can not be made compulsory. For the head of the MUI it is within the "human rights" and is "guaranteed by the Constitution." Judge who "joked" about rape of women risks expulsion from judiciary.

After days of meetings and negotiations, injunction is rescinded. For a Catholic leader, the affair has a "happy ending". A false report had previously suggested that the schools were willing to accommodate city. Surabaya bishop mediated the dispute.

A tremor struck at 5:22 in the morning, causing panic in various parts of the regency of Pidie. The main quake followed a few minutes later, then another strong aftershock. The victim is a child of eight, who was killed by a falling cabinet. Tsunami warning immediately recalled.

Almost 10% of the capital hit by floods. The President promises 200 million dollars for prevention, but entire business sectors are on their knees. The Christian community mobilizes to assist the homeless, churches open to the displaced. Catholic University of Jakarta, "it is faith" that leads to helping others.

Governor Jokowi launches state of emergency and an appeal to raise funds for flood victims. The toll is 11 dead and thousands displaced. Rice, water and basic necessities sent from archdiocese of the capital, which operates as a center for collecting and sorting. Faithful respond "enthusiastically" to the call by the priests.

Large sections of the capital have been under water since Tuesday. Heavy rains have compounded the city's chronic traffic problem. In some places, it took six hours to move just a few kilometres. Schools are closed and official meetings are cancelled. At least 10,000 people have been displaced.

The authorities threaten to close the schools by 19 January. Until now Christian schools have never been required to offer courses and seminars on the Qur'an. Given the sensitive nature of the matter, school administrators are not making any public statement.

An official from Sharia-ruled Aceh province blames "sexy women" for rape. A judge claims that both rapist and victim "enjoy" the act, hence the death penalty is inappropriate. Such views, which follow the death of an 11-year-old girl who was gang-raped, have outraged women.

Many fear a split between fundamentalist and moderate Muslims. Political expediency and poor governance are the driving force behind the province's islamisation. Critics slam the province's morality police for its crackdown on deviant behaviour. In 2012, 50 cases of Sharia-related violence were recorded.

For Nahdlatul Ulama and the Indonesian Ulema Council, the new regulation in place in Aceh is not in keeping with Islamic law. Islam "says nothing in the matter". The rule is related to "local mores". For activists, it is "absurd" and "discriminatory" against women. But District chief defends it, saying that "women's dignity" is different from that of men.

Under the new bylaw, straddling two-wheeled vehicles is deemed "unseemly" and "provocative". For the measure's promoters, women must be protected from "unwelcome" situations, and the province's Islamic spirit must be strengthened. As the gap between radical and moderate Muslims widens, human rights activists say the rule puts women at risk.

The young people are students of a local Islamic university. They justified their presence as a gesture of friendship and brotherhood towards Catholics. The gathering took place in the church of St. Xavier in Kebon Dalem, in the province of Semarang. In the region several Muslim imams had called for a boycott of the Christmas Masses.