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Punk Spirit Defiant In The Face Of Sharia Law

by Chris Mifsud
16 December 2011 12 Comments

Who said punk was dead? After an Indonesian crack-down on punk kids, the worldwide subculture has woken up to prove it's still worth its salt.

Indonesian Punk Cleansing

Detained punk kids sit under the watchful eye of armed Sha'aria police

It is not uncommon to hear of outrageous treatment of people under the rule of strictly implemented Sha’aria law in various Middle Eastern countries, be it the beating of a girl in Pakistan for spelling a word incorrectly (‘blasphemy’), or the rape victim who was sentenced to a hundred lashes (‘adultery’). On 13th December, however, a quite surreal story about a ‘Punk Cleansing’ in Indonesia started making the rounds on various social networking sites, before being reported in the news a couple of days later.

In Aceh, the only province in Indonesia where strict implementation of Sha’aria is permitted, police shut down a punk show, arresting 64 youths after complaints arose from some of the local community; not for making too much noise or causing trouble, but for ‘rehabilitation’ purposes. The group were detained, had their heads shaved and forced to enter a communal bath; they have since been taken to a remedial school which, according to a police spokesman, will give them “a re-education so their morals will match those of other Acehnese people”.

The group were detained, had their heads shaved and forced to enter a communal bath; they have since been taken to a remedial school which, according to a police spokesman, will give them “a re-education so their morals will match those of other Acehnese people”.

The underground punk, hardcore and metal scene in Indonesia has been quietly thriving since as early as the ‘90s, and this is not the first time that it has experienced harassment from the police. However, since the strict Islamic law was implemented in Aceh and cultivated a far more conservative environment, this has certainly been the most extreme action taken against the punk scene there, propelling the story into international circulation.

Despite this inane abuse and humiliation of those involved, the incident has highlighted and reignited the spirit of punk worldwide, with bands, labels, blogs and ‘zines all openly and explicitly condemning the crackdown, and expressing sincere sympathy for the affected youths. It has reminded the scene that it is not just an exclusive club or a fashion statement, but an astonishingly widespread network which enables people to identify with others who happen to like the same genre of music. Of course, when I go to shows in London, I often recognise people from the last one I went to and can more than likely strike up a conversation with anyone there, but to be able to reach out to people across the globe is incredible.

One record label’s gesture to the affected kids has been an appeal for mixtapes to send to them, as they have undoubtedly been, and by all means still are, an important part of punk and hardcore subculture. You can read their statement and find out more about the mixtape initiative here.

Although not nearly on the same level of inhumanity as the threat of corporal punishment, the Indonesian punk cleansing has still riled up human rights groups and provoked astonishment from the worldwide community. But at the same time, it has reinforced the solidarity of the international punk scene and reminded everyone that it is certainly alive and well. You can take the kid out of the punk, but you can’t take the punk out of the kid.

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Nobody 6:00 pm, 16-Dec-2011

I'd like to believe inhumane acts such as these are examples of what gives Punk it's drive. It is always so commendable when Labels reach out on a global scale, the mixtape initiative is genius for the classic spreading of Punk. Good read.

Ottilie. 8:06 pm, 16-Dec-2011

Brilliant stuff.

Eric Dondero 3:02 am, 17-Dec-2011

Punk is inherently Libertarian, not Liberal. This puts leftists in a real tough spot. They're forced to acknowledge the brutality of Islamism.

Phil 1:17 pm, 17-Dec-2011

@ Eric Actually, I think you will struggle to find any punk, leftie or otherwise, who does not condemn religious bigotry and brutality whether it is from Muslims, Christians or anyone else. They just see both sides of the coin thats all, and don't soley condemn Muslims for culutrally appropriate actions that have been provoked by others. And to claim the punk is 'inherently Libertarian' shows you either you don't know your political philosophies or you watch too much South Park.

Eric Dondero 3:36 pm, 17-Dec-2011

And that's where you make your mistake. Religious brutality does not come from Christians "or anyone else." Today, it's only Muslims, ONLY MUSLIMS, who commit brutality worldwide. There's like 90 some wars going on the world at the moment. And Muslims are involved in virtually all of them, one way or the other. (One sole exception seems to be Shining Path in Peru). Dude, I was punk back in the 1970s. An ex-CBGB-er, Philly WMMR punker, as early as 1975. Don't question my credibility on the subject. I was punk when you were still in diapers Newbie. Eric Dondero, Publisher LibertarianRepublican.net

vapid 6:57 pm, 17-Dec-2011

Aye, another example of 'where were you in '75' (or '76, 77 etc). Being old isn't an excuse for dodgy statements. Religious brutality in Uganda for example is largely Xtian. I question your credibility on the subject, I don't care how old you are. You're one of the people who stole the meaning of 'libertarian' and made it part of the Republican party. Troll feeding is not something I would usually participate in, but as an old punk I feel obliged to point out that not every punk over 25 (or whatever, I'm quite a bit over that age) is like you. Some of us stayed part of the movement and didn't sit back getting bitter, twisted and bigoted as younger folk came along.

Olly Stubbs 8:05 pm, 17-Dec-2011

How many muslims committing brutality in China, North Korea, Russia, Africa?...how many muslims perform water-boarding, rendition, run Abu Ghraibs and Gitmos?...use depleted uranium, phosphorous, a multitude of obscene waeponry? Shame that 35 years of being the primo punk hasn't opened your eyes one iota to the realities Eric. Arse.

Anon 8:33 pm, 17-Dec-2011

Islam is a relatively young religion, and is essentially doing now what Christianity did in the Middle Ages, like the Crusades, Inquisition. Christianity has 'grown out of it', if you will. Besides, being 'punk' isn't a competition gents, that was the whole premise of the article it seems.

Eric Dondero 3:23 pm, 18-Dec-2011

I stole the meaning of "libertarian"? Bhwawawawawa! Dude, the original "libertarians," in the 1960s were Republicans: Roger MacBride, VT. State Rep. was the very first to use the term "libertarian." He was a Republican legislator in 1964 to 66. Dana Rohrabacher was Chairman of the Libertarian Caucus of YAF from 1966 to 69. You may know him. He's been a Republican Congressman from Orange Cty Califronia for the last 15 years. Dr. John Hospers, the Libertarian Party's first Presidential candidate in 1972 was a Republican at the time. He backed Bush for reelection over the Libertarian candidate in 2004 and again with McCain/Palin in 2008. We Libertarians came from the Republican. Party. Dave Nolan, the official Founder of the Libertarian Party in 1971 was Chairman of the Colorado Young Republicans at the time. The Libertarian Party today is tied to the Republican Party at the hip. Every single past Libertarian presidential candidate since Hospers in 1972, save one - Harry Browne (who was an Anarchist/non-partisan) has been a former or current REPUBLICAN (Bob Barr, Ed Clark, Ron Paul, Andre Marrou, Gary Johnson for 2012.) Get your facts straight bub.

Eric Dondero 3:26 pm, 18-Dec-2011

Hey Vapid, many of us Punks in the late 1970s and early 1980s were REPUBLICANS at the time. And couldn't figure out why in the bloody hell any Punk Rocer in their right mind would align themselves with the statist pigs in the Democrat Party. There was even a Pro-Reagan Punk Band or two in the early '80s. My favorite Stevie Stilleto and the Switchblades out of Jax, Fl were totally rightwing. Punk was then, as it is in its truest form today, anti-statist/anti-authoritarian, i.e. LIBERTARIAN REPUBLICAN.

Bill Long 5:50 pm, 21-Dec-2011

hmm... a pro Reagan punk band-I can't wait to rock out to that....

Suburban Bushwacker 9:20 am, 7-Feb-2014

I was going to question Eric's claims but then I remembered that as I had never attended CBGB I am obviously not able to question his 'credibility' or indeed authority. I just thank the spirit of Mr Regan and the Contra's he was on hand to show me the absolute truth. Phew!

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