HISTORY OF ACEH PROVINCE
The Aceh region, which is located in the westernmost part of the archipelago, occupies a strategic position as a gateway for trade and cultural traffic that connects east and west since the last centuries. Aceh is often touted as a stopover for Chinese, European, Indian, and Arab traders, thus making the Aceh region the first entry of culture and religion in the archipelago. In the 7th century, Indian traders introduced Hinduism and Buddhism. However, Aceh's role looks like the entry and development of Islam in this area, which was introduced by Gujarat traders from the Arab ranks towards the 9th century.
According to historical records, Aceh was the first place where Islam entered Indonesia and the place where the first Islamic kingdoms in Indonesia emerged, namely Peureulak and Pasai. The kingdom built by Sultan Ali Mughayatsyah with its capital in Bandar Aceh Darussalam (now Banda Aceh) gradually expanded its territory covering most of the West and East coasts of Sumatra to the Malacca Peninsula. The presence of this area is getting stronger with the formation of the Aceh Sultanate which unites all the small kingdoms in the area. The Aceh Sultanate reached its peak at the beginning of the 17th century, during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. At that time the influence of religion and Islamic culture was so great in the daily life of the Acehnese, that this area was nicknamed "Seuramo Mecca" (Veranda of Mecca).
