social media – Virtually Islamic News

Mon 20 Safar 1448AH 3-8-2026AD
'Jihad', ‘Islamic State'

‘Jihadi Cool‘

Recommended. BBC World Service, The Documentary Podcast, What is so-called ‘Jihadi cool’?, 2 Aug 2026 “The extremist content quietly spreading on TikTok and Instagram, targeting unsuspecting young people. Through...

Wed 1 Safar 1448AH 15-7-2026AD
Twitter, X

How Twitter Changed

I recall the earlier days of Twitter with some nostalgia. Now I am reluctant to use it (for multiple reasons). Should I return to proactive use?

Thu 10 Muharram 1448AH 25-6-2026AD
UAE, UAE Digital

UAE Social Media Ban

Semafor, UAE bans social media for under-15s, 24 Jun 2026 “The UAE — where TikTok accounts outnumber people — is joining a rising tide of countries worldwide banning social...

Tue 16 Dhul Hijjah 1447AH 2-6-2026AD
Malaysia, Malaysia Internet

Malaysia’s under-16 social media ban

“Experts warn age checks could expose sensitive identity data while pushing determined minors towards harder-to-monitor spaces.”

Mon 11 Shawwal 1447AH 30-3-2026AD
Indonesia, Indonesia Internet

Indonesia Social Media Ban

From @apnews.com ‘Indonesia starts implementing social media restrictions for children under 16‘ "With the move, Indonesia became the first country in Southeast Asia to ban children from having accounts...

Mon 14 Shaban 1447AH 2-2-2026AD
Religious Authority

Social Media for Under-16s

Some interesting suggestions in Nylah Salam’s Hyphen’s piece below on social media usage for under-16s, and its role (according to some) as a way of enhacing religiosity. Interesting points...

Tue 4 Jumada Al Akhira 1447AH 25-11-2025AD
Research

Polarisation ‘side-hustle’

So much new terminology to learn (and an informative article from 404Media: X's location "transparency" feature showing many MAGA accounts are based internationally reveals what we already knew: The...

Ibrahim Abusharif, Social Media, Religious Authority and the Arab Gulf Crisis

Fri 23 Jumada Al Oula 1447AH 14-11-2025AD
Books, Gulf Region, Religious Authority, Research

Book alert

I’m looking forward to reading this forthcoming book. Ibrahim Abusharif studied for his PhD at UWTSD with me several years ago. Ibrahim Abusharif, Social Media, Religious Authority, and the...

Sun 19 Dhul Hijjah 1446AH 15-6-2025AD
Research

Ballymena and Social Media

“Analysis of census data shows that Ballymena has experienced rapid demographic change in recent years, while the Sky News data and forensics team also found evidence of rising tensions...

Tue 15 Dhul Qidah 1446AH 13-5-2025AD
Censorship, Gaza, Gaza Protests

Pro-Gaza Streamer Detained

I'm sensing a theme here today:...

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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