Malaysia – Virtually Islamic News

Mon 3 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 14-9-2026AD
Artificial Intelligence, Malaysia, Malaysia Internet

Malaysia AI Election Concerns

Thu 10 Muharram 1448AH 25-6-2026AD
Fatwas, Indonesia, Malaysia, Research, Southeast Asia,

This caught my attention (haven’t read it yet): Syafiq Hasyim, ‘Effective Fatwas and Shariatisation in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore‘, Archipel [Online], 111 | 2026, June 2026, http://journals.openedition.org/archipel/10169 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/16fx3 “This article argues that the institutionalisation of...

Tue 16 Dhul Hijjah 1447AH 2-6-2026AD
Malaysia, Malaysia Internet

Malaysia’s under-16 social media ban

“Experts warn age checks could expose sensitive identity data while pushing determined minors towards harder-to-monitor spaces.”

Tue 16 Dhul Hijjah 1447AH 2-6-2026AD
Malaysia, Malaysia Internet, Religious Authority

Malaysian ‘fringe movements‘

“Mohd Faizal Musa, a senior visiting fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, said religious authorities were still too dependent on scholars trained narrowly in scripture, rather than...

Thu 7 Shawwal 1447AH 26-3-2026AD
Malaysia, Malaysia Internet, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet, Spyware, Turkey, Turkey Internet, Türkiye

DarkSword Spyware

"The spyware, known as DarkSword, was observed targeting entities in Malaysia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Turkey …" article from @scmpnews.bsky.social...

Thu 17 Shaban 1447AH 5-2-2026AD
Environment, Malaysia

e-Waste Malaysia

"Environmental group Basel Action Network in a report last year estimated that the United States alone exported about 32,947 metric tons of e-waste per month with Malaysia being the...

Sun 13 Shaban 1447AH 1-2-2026AD
Grok, Indonesia, Indonesia Internet, Malaysia, Malaysia Internet

Grok Indonesia

More Grok news Ts & Cs apply #Indonesia...

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 26 Rajab 1447AH 15-1-2026AD
Artificial Intelligence, Elon Musk, Grok, Indonesia, Indonesia Internet, Malaysia, Malaysia Internet, X

Grok Image Creation Issues (updated)

Multiple Islamic issues surround Grok and its ‘appropriate‘ use. I’ve not used Grok myself (no plans to either): [image or embed] — Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 15 January 2026...

Tue 4 Jumada Al Akhira 1447AH 25-11-2025AD
Malaysia, Malaysia Internet

Malaysian Socials Control

"The Cabinet approved the move as part of a broader effort to shield young people from online harm like cyberbullying, scams and sexual exploitation." #Malaysia...

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

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

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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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