The Response of the Ulama Dayah to the Modernization of Islamic Law in Aceh. 2005. Penerbit UKM: Bangi. ISBN 967-942-687-4 (paperback). 94 pp. RM

The Response of the Ulama Dayah to the Modernization of Islamic Law in Aceh. 2005. Penerbit UKM: Bangi. ISBN 967-942-687-4 (paperback). 94 pp. RM 30.00. M. Hasbi Amiruddin

Historically the dynamics of the intellectuals that took place in Aceh brought about significant impacts on science in the archipelago or event in Southeast Asia. This occurred because the Acehnese scholars at that time incessantly made attempts to take initiatives to deal with the challenges confronting the community. Since the initial stage of the advent of Islam in Aceh, the islamic scholars had played a vital role as models who made efforts on developing Islamic traditions of science. Hence, there were a large number of them who spread the Islamic teachings to other regions in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the Acehnese scholars were actively involved in preventing the penetration of the colonists to Aceh and in fighting against their occupation. At this time, they played a double role, that is, on the other hand, they assumed a role as a teacher to empower or enlighten their community and, on the other, he was actively indulged in political struggles to free their country. There were a countless number of scholars who died for the sake of nation and religion. During the time of independence, they were very energetic to address varied kinds of social, religious and political matters in order to update them as different kinds of transformation took place over the period.

M. HASBI AMIRUDDIN, Ph. D., is a Professor and the Dean, Faculty of Education, Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Ar-Raniry Darussalam, Banda Aceh, Sumatera, Indonesia.