June 2024 – Page 3 – Virtually Islamic News

Wed 6 Dhul Hijjah 1445AH 12-6-2024AD
ISKP

ISKP External Networks

Wed 6 Dhul Hijjah 1445AH 12-6-2024AD
Egypt,, Hajj, Mecca, Pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia

’Illegal’ Hajj (update)

‘Illegality’ is probably in the eye of the beholder here: AFP/France 24, Hajj on the cheap: off-the-books pilgrims hide out in Mecca, 5 Jun 2024. “Living on canned beans...

Mon 4 Dhul Hijjah 1445AH 10-6-2024AD
Gaza Protests, Israel-Gaza Conflict 2024, Spain internet,

Bilbao Protests

Fri 1 Dhul Hijjah 1445AH 7-6-2024AD
Dubai Internet

Dubai ‘Fake Mobile Network’ Scam

The National, Scammers caught transmitting fake mobile network in Dubai, 7 Jun 2024. “Cyber safety expert Ivan Pisarev said such scammers are called “threat actors” and use “fake base...

Fri 1 Dhul Hijjah 1445AH 7-6-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence

Cross-border sharing

Francios Candelon et al, Fortune, How AI can enable cross-border data sharing in a fragmenting world, 7 Jun 2024 ”Whether preparing for the next pandemic or monitoring the safety...

Fri 1 Dhul Hijjah 1445AH 7-6-2024AD
Hajj, Moonsighting, Pilgrimage

Moonsighting (again)

There is some controversy about moonsighting. This should not come as a shock. It comes around on the calendar every year. New Crescent Society said it hadn’t been spotted...

Wed 28 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 5-6-2024AD
Hamas, WhatsApp

Police Officer Prosecuted

Duncan Gardham, Sky News, West Yorkshire Police officer given community order over pro-Hamas WhatsApp posts, 4 Jun 2024 “Mohammed Adil pleaded guilty to posting two images supporting the al...

Wed 28 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 5-6-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence

Again, another issue that might necessitate Islamic perspectives: Ian Sample, Guardian, AI researchers build ‘future self’ chatbot to inspire wise life choices, 6 Jun 2024. “Without ready access to...

Wed 28 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 5-6-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Ethics

Afterlife AI

So, I am interested in the Islamic perspectives on this ‘afterlife AI’: Kirsen Grieshaber, Haleluya Hadero, Associated Press, Fortune, Mourners can now speak to AI versions of dead friends...

Islamic Algorithms – book cover

Gary R. Bunt, Islamic Algorithms: Online Influence in the Muslim Metaverse (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2024)

Explore the book

Paperback, hardback and ebook editions are available now.

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Prof. Gary R. Bunt, 2026

Comments

“Gary Bunt’s Islamic Algorithms explores the dynamic relationship between technology shifts and the evolving engagement of Muslims online. Bunt emphasises the unchanging core of Islam, adapting its expression to developing technology. A testament to Bunt’s brilliance in the ever-changing Cyber Islamic Environments, this is a must-read for those interested in Islamic studies, digital Islam and Muslim metaverses.” ―Eva Nisa, Senior Lecturer of Anthropology, The Australian National University, Australia

“A timely and insightful exploration, the book offers a concise yet comprehensive glimpse into the evolving landscape of Cyber Islamic Environments. From the serene halls of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque to the potential realms of Muslim metaverses, this book takes readers on a journey to unveil the dynamic relationship between Islam and technology. In a world where smartphones guide prayers and iPads connect elders in study groups, Bunt shares a compelling and timely perspective on the evolving relationship between Islam, technology and the digital age.” ―Umar Ryad, Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Leuven, Belgium

Bibliography and Glossary

Review by Michael Dhanoya (University of Leicester) in LSE Blogs

“Islamic Algorithms is a great contribution to the topic of Digital Religion …”

Review in The Muslim World‘ by Dr Akif Tahiiev of Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main

‘Gary R. Bunts Islamic Algorithms liefert detaillierte Einblicke in die digitalen Räume von AkteurInnen, die sich auf unterschiedliche Weise auf den Islam “

“Gary R. Bunt’s Islamic Algorithms provides detailed insights into the digital spaces of actors who relate to Islam in various ways.*

* Google Translation

Margareta Wetchy, Gary R. Bunts Islamic Algorithms unter der Lupe, Machine Against the Rage

“Overall, Islamic Algorithms: Online Influence in the Muslim Metaverse is crucial to contemporary Islamic studies. The book is highly recommended for researchers, academics, and practitioners interested in the interaction between
technology and religion.” Reza Adeputra Tohis and Zulkifli Mansyur, Religion & Theology, 32 (2025): Issue 1-2 (Jun 2025) [PDF]

” … Bunt’s volume is an important step forward in understanding the importance of digital discourse to contemporary Islamic traditions and Muslim communities.” James Riggan, Reading Religion (American Academy of Religion)

“Islamic Algorithms provides a timely and thoughtful examination of how Islam, algorithms, and digital culture intersect. It is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in digital presence of Islam, and digital culture both in theory and practice.” Mohamed Taher, Middle Eastern Librarians Association

Book cover: Dijital Dünyada Müslüman Olmak: Mecra, Kimlik ve Otorite‘

Gary R. Bunt’s chapter ‘Şeyh Google’dan Yapay Zekâ İmama Mı?: Müslüman Dijital Mecralarda İslami Etki ve Otoritenin Dönüşümü‘?‘ (trans. Necmiye Durmuş) is available in ‘Dijital Dünyada Müslüman Olmak: Mecra, Kimlik ve Otorite‘ edited by Mehmet Ali Başak (Eskiyeni). The original version was in

Scharia im Wandel edited by Mahmud El-Wereny and Alexander-Kenneth Nagel. (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2024).

Available from:

AI ‘Fake Journalism‘ Fri 28 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 9-10-2026AD

Starlink Test Implications Fri 28 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 9-10-2026AD

Virtually Islamic on Substack Fri 28 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 9-10-2026AD

Iran AI Fri 28 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 9-10-2026AD

Indonesia Online Gambling Thu 27 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 8-10-2026AD

Scharia im Wandel book cover. Showing figures reading, a stack of books, and the background of a minaret and mosque dome.

My chapter, “From Sheikh Google to ImamAI? Evolving Islamic Influence and Authority in Muslim Digital Worlds,” is published in “Scharia im Wandel. Beiträge zur Transformation islamischer Autorität im Spannungsfeld von Kodifikation, Migration und Digitalisierung,” edited by Mahmud El-Wereny and Alexander-Kenneth Nagel. (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2024). Studies on Islamic Cultural and Intellectual History, Noorhaidi Hasan et al.

The book is the result of a 2022 conference at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.

A Turkish version of the chapter is in preparation for publication in 2026.

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« Qid				Muh »
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30