Hashtag Islam: How Cyber-Islamic Environments Are Transforming Religious Authority (Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks)

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Synopsis
Gary R. Bunt is a twenty-year pioneer in the study of cyber-Islamic environments (CIEs). In his new book, Bunt explores the diverse and surprising ways digital technology is shaping how Muslims across vast territories relate to religious authorities in fulfilling spiritual, mystical, and legalistic agendas. From social networks to websites, essential elements of religious practices and authority now have representation online. Muslims, embracing the immediacy and general accessibility of the internet, are increasingly turning to cyberspace for advice and answers to important religious questions. Online environments often challenge traditional models of authority, however. One result is the rise of digitally literate religious scholars and authorities whose influence and impact go beyond traditional boundaries of imams, mullahs, and shaikhs. Bunt shows how online rhetoric and social media are being used to articulate religious faith by many different kinds of Muslim organizations and individuals, from Muslim comedians and women's rights advocates to jihad-oriented groups, such as the "Islamic State" and al-Qaeda, which now clearly rely on strategic digital media policies to augment and justify their authority and draw recruits. This book makes clear that understanding CIEs is crucial for the holistic interpretation of authority in contemporary Islam.
Copyright:
2018

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
232 Pages
ISBN-13:
9781469643175
Related ISBNs:
9781469643182, 9781469643151, 9781469643168
Publisher:
The University of North Carolina Press
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
The University of North Carolina Press
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
Nonfiction, Computers and Internet, Religion and Spirituality, Communication
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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