All Eyes on Hijabs: Aceh’s New Flight Attendant Rule
In a move that’s set to catch the world’s eyes, the Indonesian province of Aceh—home to a strong Sharia vibe on the island of Sumatra—has ordered Muslim female flight attendants to don a hijab when landing in the region. Skip it, and the religious police are ready to byte your duty schedule.
Why the Hijab Hack?
Picture this: Muslim women in Aceh, under local law, have to cover their heads. Non‑Muslim ladies? They get the “modest dress” pass. But some Muslim flight attendants, who usually skip the hijab on short layovers, started breezing through Aceh without their headscarf. The province had enough and issued a fresh regulation to smooth the runway.
“We’re putting this on the airlines, and if the law is broken, we’ll add a bit of Sharia discipline,” declared Mawardy Ali, the head of Aceh Besar district (Banda Aceh’s capital). He promised a quick meeting with about half a dozen airlines this week.
Regulation Rundown
- Hijab Obligation: All Muslim crew members must wear the hijab upon arrival.
- First Warning: A firm reprimand for a first slip.
- Repeated Offense: The Sharia police are called in to “nab” the non‑compliant crew.
- No Public Flogging: While Aceh penalizes other offenses with flogging, hijab infractions stay within the realm of a stern scold.
It’s still unclear how many flight attendants will end up on this list, but the rule is expected to ripple through all carriers flying into Banda Aceh, the province’s main airport hub.
Airlines Roll Out Their Drones
- Garuda Indonesia—Indonesia’s flag‑bearer—has pledged compliance, staging a “special uniform” for female staff (think hijab‑ready) on Middle‑East bound flights heading to Aceh.
- Citilink says it’s already been rocking an Islamic‑compliant uniform for its attendants staging at Banda Aceh since 2015.
- Other domestic players, like Lion Air and its full‑service sibling Batik Air, are prepping for the new doctrine.
- International kids: Malaysia’s AirAsia and Firefly are bound to bring the hijab spirit to Aceh as well.
Why the Big Picture Matters
Indonesia is the world’s biggest Muslim‑majority nation, but Aceh’s unique autonomous status (granted back in 2001 to quell a long‑running insurgency) means its local laws can get a little stricter. With Afreen’s push for a hijab‑centric policy, the region’s signal is clear: respect local culture or face the fine print. The move has sparked worry among rights activists about a surge in religious conservatism, especially after recent incidents involving the enforcement of gender norms on transgender women.
While the policy is meant to keep the airways compliant, the policy’s ripple may also prompt airlines to rethink how they honor local customs while keeping their skies smooth.
