Indonesian Policemen Forcibly Shave Off Punks' Mohawks To Promote 'Good Moral Values' (Pictures)

Indonesia Punk Rock

Huffington Post   Alastair Plumb First Posted: 15/12/11 10:44 GMT Updated: 19/12/11 09:54 GMT

Aceh is a semi-autonomous region of Indonesia. Believing in far more conservative Muslim values than the rest of the Asian archipelago nation, they do things many wouldn't expect of Indonesia - like, say, forcibly shaving off punks' mohawks at rock gigs.

Keen to promote strict Islamic moral values, Aceh police "busted" a group of 100 or so punks at a concert near the province's capital, Banda Aceh, on Saturday.

In total, five women and 59 men, mostly teenagers, were driven to a police detention centre in Aceh Besar where they shaved off their mohawks, removed their peircings and forced them to engage in "military-style discipline classes".

Religious teaching was also given to the 64 young punks over the course of the 10-day rehabilitation program - but it seems the compulsory shaving was what really bothered them:

"Why? Why my hair?!" said Fauzan, a twenty-year-old punk. "We didn't hurt anyone. This is how we've chosen to express ourselves. Why are they treating us like criminals?"

Local police chief Iskandar Hasan has his own side to the story:

"We're not torturing anyone," said Hasan. "We're not violating human rights. We're just trying to put them back on the right moral path."

To see more photos of the incident, take a look at our photo gallery below...

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In this Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 photo, plain-clothed police officers shave the heads of punks in a police school compound in Aceh Besar, Aceh province, Indonesia. Police official Iskandar Hasan said Wednesday, Dec. 14 that 65 youths were rounded up during a weekend concert and brought to a detention center where their spiky mohawks _ deemed insulting to Islamic traditions _ were buzzed off." (AP Photo)
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Aceh is a semi-autonomous region of Indonesia. Believing in far more conservative Muslim values than the rest of the Asian archipelago nation, they do things many wouldn't expect of Indonesia - like, ...
Aceh is a semi-autonomous region of Indonesia. Believing in far more conservative Muslim values than the rest of the Asian archipelago nation, they do things many wouldn't expect of Indonesia - like, ...
 
 
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ideaville
I have sexdaily, I mean dyslexia, Danm!
04:52 PM on 12/19/2011
Islam is the fastest growing religion in Indonesia, it is still quite new to them.
Although shaving the kids heads may sound harsh, they are still along way from the hatred that the middle eastern countries display towards their people.
03:32 PM on 12/19/2011
I'm trying to think of someone in the U.S. who is insulting to Christian values. Of course, you have to exempt politicians and the clergy before you start a search like this.

Gee, I can't think of anyone who is insulting to Christian values or, traditions. Is there anyone who reads the H.P. who can help me?
10:25 AM on 12/17/2011
Where are the clippers plugged in?
04:57 PM on 01/30/2012
LOLOLOL
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dbrett480
02:29 AM on 12/17/2011
This might be a good idea for some of the gang bangers in America.
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Norman Mitchison
01:15 PM on 12/16/2011
Can the Indonesian police take over St.Pauls for a week? There`d be no need for a resident nit nurse then........
01:11 PM on 12/16/2011
I completely support the popoz for shaving the heads of those kidz, coz if u belong to a certain religion, u should abide by the norms, if u choose to do otherwise, do it else where. They should go to the states where people have lost their values.
12:57 PM on 12/16/2011
do what they like in there own country, but dont bring it here
12:42 PM on 12/16/2011
another sample of the sane muslim culture, religion makes people insane
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majesticjkr
Always look on the bright side of life
12:29 PM on 12/16/2011
free hair cut's, well the kids over there prob just do it to wind the parents up, it;s all a bit of fun,
10:20 AM on 12/16/2011
religion is the cause of so much trubble if you are a non beleaver then so be it its your choice you carnt be forced to beleave in something u dont beleave in ??????
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ideaville
I have sexdaily, I mean dyslexia, Danm!
04:44 PM on 12/19/2011
Can anyone find more than 11 mistakes?
I guess you didn't "beleave in" school.
10:19 AM on 12/16/2011
The one with the tats is lucky he didn't get his arms cut off!
09:47 AM on 12/16/2011
This sort of behaviour by the police gives religion a nasty bad name and is an infringement which over here could be construed as an assault. Apparently there was no touble so why do interferring busy bodies have to be so damn controlling?
12:04 PM on 12/16/2011
Thats what the Aztecs said.
12:29 PM on 12/16/2011
No it doesn't give religion as a whole a bad name, just Islam.
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timmamok
05:37 PM on 12/16/2011
No it gives religion as a whole a bad name. My punk rock experiences around a christian religion were not much different. Religion is just a spiritual governing body. Its about power and it is corrupt - especially christian religions.
karen1963yorks
My micro bio was empty. Good.
09:08 AM on 12/16/2011
Well the first line goes
Aceh is a semi-autonomous region of Indonesia. Believing in far more conservative Muslim values
Then it goes on to say
Religious teaching was also given to the 64 young punks over the course of the 10-day rehabilitation program I am not sure how you managed to miss that.
PS before you say it I am pretty sure the 10 days or religious teaching was not multi faith.
10 days of jail for a group of people who commited no crime.
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kburd67
07:26 AM on 12/16/2011
this is what would happen here if the religious right were ever given a secure foothold. We'd all be "re-educated" - make no mistake.
11:18 PM on 12/15/2011
I cannot see anything islamic about this lot. So why the rant? Can anyone point out one obvious Islamic trait? This news is creating hatred we do not need.