journalism – Page 2 – Virtually Islamic News

Thu 26 Shaban 1445AH 7-3-2024AD
Gaza, Human Rights, Israel-Hamas Conflict 2024, Journalism, Palestine, UK politics

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

This is the fifth 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 26 Shaban 1445AH 7-3-2024AD
Houthi, News Media, Yemen

Calling Edward Said …

Orientalism is alive and well in some publications. This was an apt response.

Mon 24 Rajab 1445AH 5-2-2024AD
Gaza, Hamas, Human Rights, Israel-Hamas Conflict 2024, Journalism, Palestine, War crimes

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

This is the fourth month since the current Israel-Hamas conflict commenced. It doesn’t get any better. I have been keeping copies of selected online content (see the entry page...

Wed 19 Rajab 1445AH 31-1-2024AD
Egypt Internet, Egypt,, Journalism, News Media, Streaming Media

Hijab On-air

Hanaa Awny, Kariman Hamza was one of the first veiled presenters on air, paving the way for many other women like myself, 31 Jan 2024 “Despite the fact that...

Mon 26 Safar 1445AH 11-9-2023AD
Israel, Journalism, Palestine

Meta censorship

Also see: Al Jazeera, Meta deletes Al Jazeera presenter’s profile after show criticising Israel, 10 Sep 2023

Mon 26 Safar 1445AH 11-9-2023AD
'healing', Gender, Health, Journalism, Morocco, Qur'an, Sudan internet

‘Spiritual Healing’ Investigation

This was first broadcast over a month ago, but I have only caught up with it on its broadcast repeat. It’s a must-see programme. Hanan Razek, BBC News, Investigating...

Tue 10 Dhul Qidah 1444AH 30-5-2023AD
Iran, Iran Protests 2022, Iran Protests 2023, Iranian Social Media, Journalism

Iran: Journalist on Trial

Arab News, Iran starts trial of female journalist who covered Amini’s death, 30 May 2023, “...

Mon 28 Shaban 1444AH 20-3-2023AD
'Islamic State', Human Rights, Iraq, MENA

Iraq: 20 Years On

Jeremy Bowen, BBC News, Iraq war 20 years on: How invasion plunged country into decades of chaos, 20 March 2023 “It is a sign of how bad the past...

Tue 17 Jumada Al Akhira 1444AH 10-1-2023AD
Turkey Internet

Turkey Child Bride Controversy

Riada Asimovic Akyol, New Lines Magazine, The Child Bride Who Shook Turkey “The shocking case of H.K.G., a girl who was “married” at 6 and sexually abused for years...

Sat 15 Muharram 1444AH 13-8-2022AD
'Islamic State', Podcasts

Podcast: John Cantlie

This is an excellent podcast series from ‘Story of our Times’. It provides a level of depth about Cantlie as an individual, and how he dealt with the challenges...

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

Starlink Test Implications Fri 28 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 9-10-2026AD

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

Iran AI Fri 28 Rabi Al Thani 1448AH 9-10-2026AD

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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