Virtually Islamic News – Page 24 – Researching Islam, Muslims and the Internet

Mon 28 Shaban 1447AH 16-2-2026AD
Artificial Intelligence, Research

Qwen-3.5 and languages

The language capacity issue is really important here in terms of extending global influence in AI contexts. I haven’t checked which languages are supported yet on this version: Qwen-3.5...

Mon 28 Shaban 1447AH 16-2-2026AD
crypto, Cryptocurrencies, e-commerce, Research

Dirham-backed stablecoin

Dirham-backed stablecoin DDSC to go live Dirham-backed stablecoin announced … #eDirham...

Mon 28 Shaban 1447AH 16-2-2026AD
Artificial Intelligence

MENA’s AI Future(s)

Something to consider here in terms of prospects and capacities … From a few days ago … MENA's AI future...

Fri 25 Shaban 1447AH 13-2-2026AD
Academia, Books, Research

‘The Digital Turn in Religious Studies’

New and noted: New and noted: Not in my immediate field, but this looks interesting, although I haven't read it yet. It's available as a PDF....

Fri 25 Shaban 1447AH 13-2-2026AD
Education, Ramadan, UAE, UAE Digital

Ramadan UAE

#Ramadan #UAE online learning...

Fri 25 Shaban 1447AH 13-2-2026AD
Turkey, Turkey Internet, Türkiye

"Prosecutors said suspects generated income by sharing explicit content on social media and directing users to paid platforms, including OnlyFans and private messaging channels such as Telegram." #Turkey...

Fri 25 Shaban 1447AH 13-2-2026AD
Facebook, policing, prisons, prosecutions, Radicalisation

Plotters Jailed

Online dimensions in this case: "Walid Saadaoui came to the attention of the authorities when he used 10 Facebook accounts, none of which were in his own name, to...

Thu 24 Shaban 1447AH 12-2-2026AD
Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

Vision 2030 Adjusted

Tech and pilgrimage focus – other issues require consideration here. #KSA Vision 2030 reframed...

Thu 24 Shaban 1447AH 12-2-2026AD
British Muslims, Research

British Muslim Trust

Details here of the British Muslim Trust, which recently had an official launch.

Thu 24 Shaban 1447AH 12-2-2026AD
Radicalisation, Research

Tech and ‘extremist content‘

Any type of filter is getting further and further away. It’s been going on for decades across platforms. Tech bosses ‘not even close’ to doing enough on extremist content,...

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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