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