Human Rights – Page 5 – Virtually Islamic News

Sun 18 Jumada Al Akhira 1445AH 31-12-2023AD
Human Rights, Refugees, Sudan, Sudan internet

Sudan – a Reminder

Tue 6 Jumada Al Akhira 1445AH 19-12-2023AD
Afghanistan, Human Rights, Pakistan, Refugees

Human Rights in Pakistan

Wed 22 Jumada Al Oula 1445AH 6-12-2023AD
'Islamophobia', Hamas, Human Rights, Israel-Gaza Conflict 2023, Israel-Hamas Conflict 2023, War crimes

Social Media and Online Coverage: Israel-Hamas Conflict (Month Two) – updated

This news section represents content primarily generated from 8 November 2023 onwards (some posts were created before that date). Month One is here. Month Three is here Commentary on...

Tue 23 Rabi Al Thani 1445AH 7-11-2023AD
'Islamophobia', Broadcasting Media, Hamas, Human Rights, Israel, Israel-Hamas Conflict 2023, Journalism, Media manipulation, News Media

Social Media and Online Coverage: Israel-Hamas Conflict (Month One)

This blog section represents content generated between 7 October 2023 and 7 November 2023. Return to the main blog pages for subsequent updates. Commentary on social media and other...

Mon 24 Rabi Al Awwal 1445AH 9-10-2023AD
Gaza, Hamas, Human Rights, Israel, Israel-Gaza Conflict 2023, Palestine

Mehul Srivastava,FT Edit, ‘The Guest’: the Palestinian mastermind behind deadly Israel incursion, 8 October 2023, “Mohammed Deif is commander of the military wing of the militant group Hamas, which...

Thu 20 Rabi Al Awwal 1445AH 5-10-2023AD
Human Rights, Syria

Syria ‘horror hospital’

Sat 8 Rabi Al Awwal 1445AH 23-9-2023AD
Human Rights, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet, Twitter, X

MBS Confirms Tweet Death Sentence

Joey Shea, Human Rights Watch, Saudi Crown Prince Confirms Death Sentence for Tweets, 22 Sep 2023 “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, has confirmed that retired teacher...

Mon 19 Safar 1445AH 4-9-2023AD
Human Rights, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet, X

X KSA Lawsuit

Stephanie Kirchgaessner, Guardian, Twitter accused of helping Saudi Arabia commit human rights abuses, 4 Sep 2023 “Lawsuit says network discloses user data at request of Saudi authorities at much...

Wed 7 Safar 1445AH 23-8-2023AD
Artificial Intelligence, Digital MENA, Human Rights, Jordan Internet, MENA, Turkey, Turkey Internet

MENA AI Biometric Concerns

Cathrin Schaer, Deutsche Welle, AI-enhanced identification: A danger in the Middle East?, 23 Aug 2023 “The use of digital biometric identification — recognizing people by their unique features —...

Tue 6 Safar 1445AH 22-8-2023AD
Ethiopia, Human Rights, Saudi Arabia

KSA ‘Migrant Killings’ Allegations

Reuters, Ethiopia says it will investigate alleged migrant killings with Saudi Arabia, 22 Aug 2023 “Saudi Arabian officials did not respond to a request for comment about the investigation....

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:

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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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