Faith in the Digital Age: How Young Muslims Use the Cyberspace for Islamic Knowledge
摘要
The internet has profoundly reshaped how Muslims, particularly youth, access and engage with Islamic knowledge. Based on 122 semi-structured interviews with young Western Muslims, this chapter explores how digital platforms have revolutionized religious learning, democratizing access to Islamic texts, scholars, and global discourse, especially in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. The shift to online religious engagement has been particularly empowering for marginalized groups, including women, by providing alternative spaces for learning and religious expression. At the same time, it has sparked debates on religious authority, challenging traditional gatekeepers of Islamic knowledge, and challenges concerning authenticity, misinformation, and media literacy. This chapter critically examines these dynamics, highlighting the opportunities and challenges the internet presents for Islamic learning and identity construction.