Saudi Arabia – Page 5 – Virtually Islamic News

Fri 7 Rajab 1445AH 19-1-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence, Digital MENA, MENA, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet, UAE, UAE Digital

KSA AI

MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, Saudi Arabia goes big in Davos as it looks to become a top AI tech hub for the Middle East, 19 Jan 2024 “Becoming a tech...

Thu 22 Jumada Al Akhira 1445AH 4-1-2024AD
Artificial Intelligence, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

KSA AI Mecca

Sara Zouiten, Morocco World News, Saudi Arabia Integrates AI Technology to Enhance Visitor Guidance at Grand Mosque, 4 Jan 2024. “The General Authority for the Affairs of the Two...

Sat 15 Rabi Al Awwal 1445AH 30-9-2023AD
Manga, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Manga

Dean Takahashi, VentureBeat, At Manga Productions, the Saudis tap a new generation for talent | The DeanBeat, 29 Sep 2023 “In Saudi Arabia, more than 70% of the population...

Wed 28 Safar 1445AH 13-9-2023AD
Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

KSA, NUFC + Social Media

iNews, I am the sister of a Saudi political prisoner – this is what I want Newcastle fans to know, 13 Sep 2023 “Lina al-Hathloul has been vocal about...

Sun 25 Safar 1445AH 10-9-2023AD
Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

KSA Social

Arab News, First Saudi social network attracts 1m users in 2 months, 10 Sep 2023 “… supervisor of the Jaco network, Fahd Al-Shidi, said the aim was to achieve...

Mon 19 Safar 1445AH 4-9-2023AD
Human Rights, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet, X

X KSA Lawsuit

Stephanie Kirchgaessner, Guardian, Twitter accused of helping Saudi Arabia commit human rights abuses, 4 Sep 2023 “Lawsuit says network discloses user data at request of Saudi authorities at much...

Tue 6 Safar 1445AH 22-8-2023AD
Ethiopia, Human Rights, Saudi Arabia

KSA ‘Migrant Killings’ Allegations

Reuters, Ethiopia says it will investigate alleged migrant killings with Saudi Arabia, 22 Aug 2023 “Saudi Arabian officials did not respond to a request for comment about the investigation....

Fri 2 Safar 1445AH 18-8-2023AD
Games, Gaming, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

KSA Gamers

Arab News, Smartphones used to play video games by over 70 percent of weekly gamers in Saudi Arabia, study shows, 18 Aug 2023 “The study [based on a YouGov...

Tue 28 Muharram 1445AH 15-8-2023AD
Censorship, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet

Allegations: KSA block Vice stories

Guardian, Vice blocked news stories that could offend Saudi Arabia, insiders say, 15 Aug 2023 “Vice has repeatedly blocked news stories that could offend the Saudi government, leaving its...

Tue 28 Muharram 1445AH 15-8-2023AD
Business, China,, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Internet, Technology, UAE, UAE Digital

Chip Race

Joseph Wilkins, Markets Insider, Saudi Arabia, UAE join Elon Musk and Chinese tech titans in the race for scarce Nvidia chips, 15 Aug 2023 “Saudi Arabia and the United...

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:

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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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