IOM is working with the Ar-Raniry State Islamic Institute and the
Aceh Provincial Police (Polda NAD) through the Holy month of
Ramadhan to promote community policing in Indonesia's northernmost
province through the use of Islamic cultural values unique to the
area.

The 15-day Safari Kemitraan Ramadhan (Ramadhan Partnership Road
Show), which kicks off today, is funded by the European Commission
and the Royal Netherlands Embassy, and aims to inform villagers
about the value of community policing using religious messages.

IOM is providing logistical support, transport and printed
materials for the team of religious teachers from the Institute and
police officers implementing the scheme.

"Communities in Aceh will benefit from all the positive values
embodied in community policing. The roadshow will help to endorse
the programme and will be an effective tool to build partnerships
with Acehnese across the province," says Dr. Abdul Rani, Msi, a
professor of Ar-Raniry.

Located at the northernmost tip of the island of Sumatra, Aceh
is also known colloquially as Mecca's Veranda. For hundreds of
years it served as the final port of call for pilgrims making the
long sea voyage from Indonesia, the most populous Moslem nation on
earth, to Mecca. It is the most devout area in Indonesia and proud
of its Islamic heritage.

Aceh Senior Police Commissioner Setyanto says he supports the
use of a culturally sensitive approach to informing a public that
is deeply suspicious of the police. Aceh was the scene of a
violent, decades-long separatist conflict that drew to a close in
2005, with the signing of a peace agreement between rebels and the
central government.

IOM is in the midst of a two-year programme to training more
than 7,200 of the roughly 9,200 police officers in Aceh in
community policing and human rights. The trainings aim to reduce
conflict and underpin a return to peace and security in the
province.

For further information, please contact:

Jihan Labetubun

IOM Jakarta

Tel. +62 8111907028

E-mail: "mailto:jlabetubun@iom.int">jlabetubun@iom.int