Virtually Islamic News – Page 105 – Researching Islam, Muslims and the Internet

Sun 1 Shaban 1445AH 11-2-2024AD
Apps, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

Qalbox

Qalbox profiled here: Zaira Lakhpatwala, Arab News, Muslim-centric streaming app Qalbox gaining in popularity in MidEast, 10 Feb 2024 “Part of the popular Muslim Pro app, the Qalbox library...

Sat 29 Rajab 1445AH 10-2-2024AD
Egypt Internet, Egypt,, Joe Biden, Memes, Mexico

El-Meksiki Rides Again

Sat 29 Rajab 1445AH 10-2-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence, Pakistan, Pakistan Internet, Politics

Pakistan Election

Fri 28 Rajab 1445AH 9-2-2024AD
Gaza, Israel-Gaza Conflict 2024, Latin America, Palestine

Latin American Activism

Arab News, How pro-Palestine digital activists in Latin America are offering an uncensored view on Gaza, 8 Feb 2024 “The most important of such channels is Palestina Hoy (Palestine...

Fri 28 Rajab 1445AH 9-2-2024AD
Arabic, Artificial Intelligence, Bard, Google, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

Arab News, Saudi content creator answers most-searched questions on AI in new series “Titled “Googleyat,” the six-episode Arabic series is hosted by Saudi content creator Abdullah Al-Alawi and features...

Thu 27 Rajab 1445AH 8-2-2024AD
Indonesia, Indonesia Internet, Politics, TikTok

Indonesia’s TikTok Politics

Thu 27 Rajab 1445AH 8-2-2024AD
Games, Türkiye

Game On Türkiye

Thu 27 Rajab 1445AH 8-2-2024AD
Instagram, Iran internet, Meta

Khamenei Cut

Thu 27 Rajab 1445AH 8-2-2024AD
Hacking, Iran, UAE, UAE Digital

Deep Fake Hack in UAE

Thu 27 Rajab 1445AH 8-2-2024AD
Antisemitism, Censorship, Meta

‘Zionist‘ Terminology and (potential) Censorship

Sam Biddle, The Intercept, Meta Considering Increased Censorship of the Word ‘Zionist‘. 8 Feb 2024 ““I think it may actually harm the fight against antisemitism,” said the head of...

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:

UAE Data Centres Thu 18 Jumada Al Oula 1448AH 29-10-2026AD

Iran’s Hidden Web of Military Agencies Thu 18 Jumada Al Oula 1448AH 29-10-2026AD

Satellites above KSA Wed 17 Jumada Al Oula 1448AH 28-10-2026AD

Handala Hack Wed 17 Jumada Al Oula 1448AH 28-10-2026AD

Dar al-Ifta Haseen platform Mon 15 Jumada Al Oula 1448AH 26-10-2026AD

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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