Hashtag Islam cover
Islamic Algorithms - Resources (links to the online Bibliography and Glossary)
Check out a preview of the book via this widget.

Islamic Algorithms examines how Islam is digitally mediated across devices and contexts, in a constantly shifting framework of technological change, enhanced access and digital literacy, and proactive engagement in Islamic online content by authorities and influencers.

What is the impact of this on societies, believers, and understandings of Islam? Islamic Algorithms provides a thorough exploration of cyber Islamic environments (CIEs) through representations of significant historical and religious influences across contexts and diversities. This ranges from jinn and angels through to contemporary influencers. Influence is built and developed across and within categories of interpretation, context, origins, and historical patterns - from the emergence of the Qur'an through to Islamic expansion in space and time. This includes the power dynamics of CIEs, incorporating a range of specific influences and ideas explored in Islamic Algorithms. Religious authority and influence take multifarious forms, with underlying archetypal patterns that can relate to context and combinations of other factors and influences - traditional, historical, legalistic, cultural, genealogical, linguistic, interpretative and, in contemporary contexts - technological.

Islamic Algorithms raises issues of how digital content is embedded in contemporary understandings of Islam and their dissemination. Gary R. Bunt shows how perceptions of pivotal figures in Islam are informed by new generations of digital influences, which present a primary source of information and dissemination within younger Muslim demographics, with user expectations commensurate with other areas of online expression – such as apps, interactivity, and peer networking.

Reviews

“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


“Bunt’s latest publication is a must-read for those fascinated by the intersection between Islām, Muslims and all things metaverse” 

Michael Dhanoya, LSE Religion and Global Society

Gary R. Bunt with 'Islamic Algorithms'