MUSLIMS AND THE INTERNET: WHAT MANNER OF MESSENGERS? The Internet has brought changes of hitherto unimaginable proportions to the way people communicate. Today’s educated Muslims, especially the youth and professionals, have been quick to join the Internet bandwagon as a major medium for finding or sharing information on issues that matter to them and if necessary, mobilising globally to confront common challenges. Among much else, Muslims use the Internet to send and receive emails on Islamic teachings, for discussion of local and international politics (e.g. the war on terror and the Israel-Palestine conflict), to find answers to theological questions (as found on the many Q&A websites and discussion forums), and even for personal issues (such as the Muslim dating websites that single men and women are increasingly resorting to, to find Mr. or Mrs. Right). Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for hopping on this bandwagon, which can be a veritable ...
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