Indonesia Moves Toward Sharia

Yesterday's International Herald Tribune carries an article titled Islamic Hard-Liners Chip Away at Indonesia's Secular Traditions. It reports: "Women are jailed for being on the street alone after dark in parts of Indonesia, long held up as a beacon of moderate Islam. Gamblers are caned as punishment, Christian schoolchildren are forced to wear headscarves and a proposed law would sentence thieves to amputation of the hands." The developments are the result of a determined group of conservatives pressing for Islamic laws, and liberal Muslim leaders not engaging in public debate on the developments.