From the ArcaMax Publishing, News & Features Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/newsheadlines/s-575174-485267
JAKARTA (UPI) -- Indonesia's Golkar political party has taken an
unusual approach to the presidential election by featuring head
scarves known as jilbabs, an expert says.
Siti Musdah Mulia, an Islamic studies professor at Syarif Hidayatullah
State Islamic University, said Golkar campaign posters feature the
wives of the party's presidential and vice presidential candidates
wearing the Muslim scarves, The New York Times said Sunday.
"It's the first time that the jilbab has become an issue in a
presidential campaign in Indonesia," Mulia said.
Mulia said the party's use of the jilbabs comes at a time when the
head scarves are gaining in popularity in Indonesia, but also during a
confusing time regarding Islam's place in the country's political
system.
"There are so many more important issues that should be addressed in
the campaign," she said. "Why this one?"
The Times said despite the unique campaign from the Golkar Party,
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Democratic Party is expected
to retain his post in next week's election.