Life (and death) is a beach

Life (and death) is a beach

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Residents of Binongko island, a
remote island in Buton regency, bring sand when attending funeral
ceremonies.

The custom developed due to the island being largely comprised
of rock.

Community leader La Aru said the sand was used to bury the
dead.

Because of the rock bodies could only be buried 50-centimeters
deep.

To prevent bad smells emanating from the deceased, the grave
was covered with stones, La Aru added. -- Antara

Friday prayer popularity set to increase

BANDA ACEH: Anyone who misses three weeks of Friday prayers in
Aceh in 2005 can expect to be caned when Islamic law is partially
implemented.

Head of the Aceh sharia office Alyasa' Abubakar said that
although the provincial parliament had already passed a law on
partial sharia, or Islamic law, its implementation would only be
started "about two years from now, I think."

Regulations provide for the caning of people caught eating
during the daylight hours of the Muslim fasting month, which
begins in early November. Anyone who missed Friday prayers three
weeks in a row or who disturbs others during Friday prayers would
also be caned, Abubakar said.

"But caning will not be implemented soon because the legal
infrastructure is not yet there," he said, referring to the
Sharia court and the Sharia police.

He did not give details on other methods of punishment and
what other offenses the laws would cover.

Abubakar said sharia in Aceh will be "implemented softly, and
not like what was implemented in Afghanistan by the Taliban
government."

He said sharia would not disturb people's privacy and human
rights.

The law will not apply to Aceh's non-Muslims, who will be
punished in the secular state court, Abubakar said.

"Non-Muslims should not fear the implementation of Islamic
sharia because their rights will continue to be respected," he
said. --AFP