January 2026 – Virtually Islamic News

Thu 10 Shaban 1447AH 29-1-2026AD
Abu Dhabi, Artificial Intelligence

Abu Dhabi L-AI

The frightening (to some) prospect of AI driving instructors in Abu Dhabi (or elsewhere!). AI driving instructors in Abu Dhabi: "The automated system will learn a pupil's driving style...

Thu 10 Shaban 1447AH 29-1-2026AD
LGBTQ+, Malaysia, Malaysia Internet, Sexuality

Malaysia Minister Controversy

#Malaysia "Posts on Zulkifli’s statement drew thousands of comments, with many taking the opportunity to poke fun at the minister while questioning the logic behind his assumptions.”...

Thu 10 Shaban 1447AH 29-1-2026AD
Apps

UpScrolled

Well, of course, I am curious about this: There's been a lot of talk this week about #Upscrolled – another digital space I will have to explore …...

Wed 9 Shaban 1447AH 28-1-2026AD
Human Rights, Pakistan, Pakistan Internet

Pakistan Human Rights Issues

#Pakistan cyber elements to this widely-reported human rights case...

Tue 8 Shaban 1447AH 27-1-2026AD
Artificial Intelligence, Research

The 2025 AI Index Report

Time to drill down in Stanford’s AI Index Report. It’s been a significant resource in the past, and this is the latest iteration (free to download): “The AI Index...

Tue 8 Shaban 1447AH 27-1-2026AD
Artificial Intelligence, Research, UAE, UAE Digital

UAE AI Jobs

Whereas AI is replacing many computer-centred jobs, there still seems to be a demand in the UAE specifically for AI specialists: "Data from Stanford's 2025 AI Index Report found...

Mon 7 Shaban 1447AH 26-1-2026AD
Syria, Syria Internet

An important piece: Thrilled to share my latest article: "Keeping Syria connected during civil war." A compelling, years-in-the-making story of "Mahmoud," a Syria Telecom network engineer who was on...

Mon 7 Shaban 1447AH 26-1-2026AD
Gaming, Research, UAE, UAE Digital

UAE Gaming

And, in other news … "The UAE’s average revenue per gamer in 2025 was $90, one of the highest in the world and ahead of Saudi Arabia’s $60. To...

Mon 7 Shaban 1447AH 26-1-2026AD
Elon Musk, Starlink, UAE, UAE Digital

Starlink UAE

#Stargate #UAE "The development of the 5-gigawatt Stargate UAE – backed by some of the world's biggest technology companies – proves the Emirates' ambitions to be at the forefront...

Mon 7 Shaban 1447AH 26-1-2026AD
Egypt Internet, Egypt,, Religious Authority, Research

The Digital Minbar

Some familiar themes ++ here in this discussion on Egyptian digital issues. I haven’t read it yet in full: Muhammad Latif Fauzi, Imam Mustofa, Ibnu Akbar Maliki, Faiz Husaini,...

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.

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