Hotli Simanjuntak, Banda Aceh – Aceh's Sharia Police censured hundreds of women for wearing tight pants and jeans in Wednesday's raid in Banda Aceh.

Those who were caught in the raids had their names recorded and were made to sign a statement saying they would not repeat the offense against the dress code by wearing "sexually arousing" tight pants in public because it is forbidden under sharia law.

"The raids are aimed at minimizing sharia violations in Aceh, especially ahead of the Ramadan Islamic fasting month," Samsuddin, the Sharia Police's Enforcement and Violation division head, said.

As many as 23 regencies and municipalities in the province are expected to follow suit before Ramadan starts on Aug. 11.

The local authority launched the crackdown as a deterrent for women who failed to comply to the Islamic dress code by not wearing head scarves and wearing tight pants, according to Samsuddin.

Many women protested the authoritarian crackdown. "Why do the officers care about the way we dress? Don't they have anything better to do than worry over women's attire," said Leli, one woman caught in the raid.

Some housewives who were dressed casually just to walk their children to school were also stopped by the religious police. "I was afraid the officers were going to cut off my pants," said housewife Aisyah.

She expressed concern the raids in Banda Aceh would be the same as those conducted in West Aceh, the only regency in the province to ban women from wearing pants.

Women wearing tight pants in West Aceh risk having their pants cut and are forced to switch to long, loose-fitting skirts.

In Banda Aceh, women are urged to wear loose-fitting pants. "Please wear loose-fitting pants that hide the body's contour," Samsuddin said.