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Aceh Shariah police launch raid a week late

Source
Jakarta Globe - July 28, 2010

Meulaboh, Aceh – Almost a full week after three American citizens were deported from Indonesia's Aceh province for allegedly converting local Muslims to Christianity, Shariah Police and local government security officers swooped on their rented home on Tuesday.

Robin Kay Jordan, his wife Kelly and their daughter Claire were expelled from the devout Islamic province on July 21 after three locals were converted to Christianity.

Tuesday's raid by religious police and officers from the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) uncovered religious compact discs and books.

Teuku Ahmad Dadek, head of both Shariah Police and Satpol PP in West Aceh district, told Metro TV the raid was part of a follow up to the Jordan investigation though he did not say whey authorities had taken so long to act.

Aceh Deputy Governor Muhammad Nazar told local media last week that they were forming a team to investigate the conversion activities conducted by foreigners.

Nazar said any attempts to convert locals must be prevented because they were contrary to the Islamic values of Muslims in Aceh. He urged any NGO's in Aceh to communicate with the local government and report their activities.

"If we enter somebody else's house or village, we must tell them who we are and what we are doing. Newcomers must respect the locals' values," he said.

The Jordans were taken to Medan, North Sumatra, before they were deported to the United States.

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