Virtually Islamic: Computer-mediated Communication and Cyber Islamic Environments

(Paperback)

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Description

Information technology is now making a global impact on how Muslims approach and interpret Islam. Given its utilization as a primary source of information, the internet also influences how non-Muslims perceive Islam and matters relating to Muslims. Among the issues addressed are: how multimedia applications are being integrated into websites, enabling surfers to listen to and see 'sermons' delivered thousands of miles away and to partake of new opportunities for religious experience; how Muslim organizations are networking globally through the electronic medium, and how that impacts upon understanding of Islam and Muslim identities; how can Muslims and non-Muslims approach the Qu'ran in its digital form; how the internet is used to present diverse dialogues relating to Islam, often reaching wide audiences where other forms of communication are heavily censored.

Reviews

' ... a valuable guide to things Islam on the Internet, especially to readers pondering technology's impact on religious identity or the ummah's urgent social, moral political questions.' (Asiaweek) 'Virtually Islamic is a tiny book packed with more information and insight per page than anything that I have encountered on the subject of religion and the Internet. There are many audiences who can benefit from reading this volume, but it is absolutely essential reading for students of religious movements...Undergirded by an enormous amount of information about Islam on the internet, Bunt's book is ever probing without sensationalising the subject.' Journal of Contemporary Religion 'Bunt has done a great service to Islamic Studies via the Internet and will serve as a torchbearer and a guide for further research in this area.' Islam Online. '...a seminal work on Islam and the internet...groundbreaking canonical texts for students of both virtual Islam and, in a wider sense, those studying religion and the internet.' (Egypt Today, Dec 2004)

Author Bio

Gary Bunt is Lecturer in Islamic Studies at University of Wales, Lampeter