Virtually Islamic News – Page 90 – Researching Islam, Muslims and the Internet

Fri 1 Dhul Hijjah 1445AH 7-6-2024AD
Hajj, Moonsighting, Pilgrimage

Moonsighting (again)

There is some controversy about moonsighting. This should not come as a shock. It comes around on the calendar every year. New Crescent Society said it hadn’t been spotted...

Wed 28 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 5-6-2024AD
Hamas, WhatsApp

Police Officer Prosecuted

Duncan Gardham, Sky News, West Yorkshire Police officer given community order over pro-Hamas WhatsApp posts, 4 Jun 2024 “Mohammed Adil pleaded guilty to posting two images supporting the al...

Wed 28 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 5-6-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence

Again, another issue that might necessitate Islamic perspectives: Ian Sample, Guardian, AI researchers build ‘future self’ chatbot to inspire wise life choices, 6 Jun 2024. “Without ready access to...

Wed 28 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 5-6-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Ethics

Afterlife AI

So, I am interested in the Islamic perspectives on this ‘afterlife AI’: Kirsen Grieshaber, Haleluya Hadero, Associated Press, Fortune, Mourners can now speak to AI versions of dead friends...

Thu 22 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 30-5-2024AD
Conferences, Digital Islam, Digital Islam Across Europe

Digital Islam Across Europe

The DigitIslam team met in person last week at BRAIS in Leeds:

Thu 22 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 30-5-2024AD
Human Rights, Iran, Iran internet

Iran Executions

Thu 22 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 30-5-2024AD
Madinah, Maps, Medina

Madinah is Mapped

Thu 22 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 30-5-2024AD
Broadcasting Media, Gaza, Gaza Protests, Human Rights, Israel-Gaza Conflict 2024, Israel-Hamas Conflict 2024, Politics, Research, UK politics, United States, War crimes

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

This is the eighth month since the current Israel-Hamas conflict commenced. I have been keeping copies of selected online content since 7 October 2023. Many of these posts feature...

Thu 22 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 30-5-2024AD
Gaza Protests, Israel-Hamas Conflict 2024

All Eyes on Rafah

Arab News, ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ image garners millions of shares in latest social media solidarity campaign, 29 May 2024. “The image “All Eyes on Rafah” has garnered millions...

Thu 22 Dhul Qidah 1445AH 30-5-2024AD
Google, Malaysia, Malaysia Internet

Google Data Centre Malaysia

AFP/Arab News, Google to invest $2 bn in data center in Malaysia, 30 May 2024, “Google will invest $2 billion in Malaysia to house the firm’s first data center...

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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