Thursday, October 31, 2013

Children and Technology

Onislam.net, Technology: Friend or Enemy of Muslim Youth? "The idea that our children are moving beyond our absolute control may be the bitterest pill for many of us to swallow in the digital era. The need to protect children is reflexive, visceral, and instinctive. All the harder, then, to change; difficult yes impossible no, I know I have tried. Too many times one feels how can we compete with the outside world but it is our duty and this we cannot deny."

Jihadist Websites Linked to Syria Thriving on Internet

Jihadist Websites Linked to Syria Thriving on Internet - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East "The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), which is the local and increasingly powerful chapter of al-Qaeda, issued a statement on Facebook and Twitter affirming that it has nothing to do with the many Web pages bearing its name. The statement stressed that the only Facebook and Twitter pages that represent ISIS are those of the Itissam Foundation and its official website."

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

CFP Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion

CFP, Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion  "ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

"Forthcoming 2015

"Volume 6: Religion and Internet

"Edited by

"Enzo Pace (University of Padua), Göran Larsson and Daniel Enstedt (University of Göteborg)

"The issue Religion and Internet focuses on the current state of research. In particular, it provides on one hand a comprehensive overview of the different approaches and theoretical perspectives confronted in studying religion online, and on the other, a selection of research reports concerning both traditional religions and so-called predominantly online religion. The first goal is not only to reflect on the progress of theoretical and empirical studies, but also and especially to what extend common themes, languages, and methodological tools are sharing by scholars as well as persisting problems related the structural ambivalence of the object between religion and communication, reality and virtuality, great religious traditions and innovation, which sometimes reach paradoxical extremes. The second goal is to explore the nexus between information and communication technologies, and religion, and, more precisely, how both religious organizations and individuals make use of new technologies with regard to religion."
 

Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research

Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research 6:1 - new issue available now

Webcast of: Digital Humanities + Islamic & Middle East Studies @ Brown University

alraqmiyyat.org, Webcast of: Digital Humanities + Islamic & Middle East Studies @ Brown University Plenty to see here - need a few spare days.

Boko Haram

Benjamin S. Eveslage, terrorismanalysts.com, Clarifying Boko Haram’s Transnational Intentions, Using Content Analysis of Public Statements in 2012 "To advance understanding of the dynamic global security threats emerging in West Africa, this article analyses the radical Islamic sect in Nigeria popularly called “Boko Haram”.This was done by addressing the question: What is the likelihood that Boko Haram will transnationalize? Current literature is inconclusive. On the one hand, some discuss Boko Haram as part of an international network of terror groups, and therefore a transnational threat, while others describe the Boko Haram conflict within a domestic or regional context. This article offers, for the first time, a systematic content analysis of the group’s public statements issued in 2012 to address this question. The analysis found Boko Haram to express itself in an intrinsically domestic orientation, and as such, transnationalization is unlikely. However, Boko Haram also exhibited a highly reactive modus operandi – highlighting concerns for increased transnationalization if international actors engage Boko Haram. In light of the analysis, policy recommendations are offered."

I haven't read this one yet.

Uighur Muslims in China Arrested For ‘Online Jihad’

Uighur Muslims in China Arrested For ‘Online Jihad’ - International Business Times "Chinese crackdown on Uighur Muslim, continues in the country's restive Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, as security agencies arrested over 139 activists over the past few weeks on charges of promoting jihad online."

Monday, October 21, 2013

Iran's 'Cable Guys'

Holly Dagres, al-monitor, Iran's 'Cable Guys' Provide Service For Contraband Satellites, 20 Oct 2013 "Although satellites are contraband, somehow many people manage to own one. It's estimated that 50-70% of households in Tehran have satellite dishes to broadcast their favorite news, music and movie channels. Even in a holy city such as Qom and other areas, it's estimated that some 30-40% of households own a satellite dish.

Rihanna, social media and Abu Dhabi

albawaba.com, Ri Ri goes native! Rihanna shocks fans by wearing hijab for Abu Dhabi mosque photoshoot attracting some attention on social media

'Officials blame Skype for Karachi's chaos'

Irfan Ahmed, Inter Press/Asia Times, Officials blame Skype for Karachi's chaos, 21 Oct 2013

"First, it was YouTube. Now, if the government of Sindh has its way, it could well be goodbye to Skype, Whatsapp, Viber and Tango for the people of this province in southeastern Pakistan. At least for the next three months."

al-Azhar

onislam.net, Police Clashes With Al-Azhar Students, 20 Oct 2013 "Images of anti-riot police forces firing teargas at students protesting against the army’s move to depose former President Mohamed Morsi were posted on the internet on Sunday, October 20, reflecting a new development in Egypt daily protests over the past three months."

'Turkey's first online Islamic sex shop opens'

France24, Turkey's first online Islamic sex shop opens, 21 Oct 2013 "The "Halal Sex Shop" website presents its products as being "entirely safe," and in compliance with Islamic norms."

Friday, October 04, 2013

The Fugitive - By Harald Doornbos and Jenan Moussa

The Fugitive - By Harald Doornbos and Jenan Moussa | Foreign Policy:

"Waiting for the tram in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, Abu Omar is on his way to the mall. No groceries today -- his shopping list includes a Turkish-made tablet computer and a small GPS navigation device loaded with digital maps of the Middle East."

Report: Internet Freedom Declining

Report: RFE/RL, Internet Freedom Declining "Freedom House says Internet freedom has declined worldwide in the past year, sparked by broad surveillance, new laws controlling web content, and increasing arrests of social-media users." Freedom of the Net 2013 Report here including a selection of charts and maps

Pakistan province orders halt to Skype over security concerns

Pakistan province orders halt to Skype over security concerns - Alarabiya.net "Pakistani authorities have banned instant messaging and internet telephone services including Skype, Whatsapp and Viber in the province of Sindh for three months for security reasons, a government spokesman said on Thursday."

Thursday, October 03, 2013

Social media: weapon of masses

Social media: weapon of masses "It is a story of Sher Bano’s incredible courage that has brought the issue of women’s right in Islamic countries to greater global attention. Bano is a 19-year-old Pashtun girl who has been writing about life in Pakistan from the perspective of a teenage girl who has spent time in western Pakistan. The extremists were, and they are, afraid of books and pens. “They are afraid of women. Being a girl in Peshawar is difficult. There are many ‘dos and don’ts’,” Bano said in her blog."

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

New book: The Evolution of a Muslim Democrat: The Life of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim

Charles Allers, The Evolution of a Muslim Democrat: The Life of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim - Reihenübersicht - Peter Lang Verlagsgruppe newly published book written by my former PhD student Charles Allers.

Anwar Ibrahim

Charles Allers, The Evolution of a Muslim Democrat: The Life of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim - Reihenübersicht - Peter Lang Verlagsgruppe newly published book written by my former PhD student Charles Allers.

'Yemeni students jump on distance learning bandwagon'

Samar Qaed, Yemen Times, Yemeni students jump on distance learning bandwagon, 1 Oct 2013 "In Yemen, where—according to international estimates—nearly half of residents are illiterate, only 15 percent have access to the Internet, and the quality of public education and curricula has been called into question, can online education help Yemenis access a wider-range of educational possibilities and opportunities?"

'Qaeda Plot Leak Has Undermined U.S. Intelligence'

NYTimes.com, Qaeda Plot Leak Has Undermined U.S. Intelligence , 29 Sep 2013 opinion and analysis "American counterterrorism officials say they believe the disclosure about the Qaeda plot has had a significant impact because it was a specific event that signaled to terrorists that a main communication network that the group’s leaders were using was being monitored. The sharpest decline in messaging has been among the Qaeda operatives in Yemen, officials said. The disclosures from Mr. Snowden have not had such specificity about terrorist communications networks that the government is monitoring, they said."

Bitcoins

Bitcoins: Currency for Criminals? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East "Alongside the obvious disadvantages of this currency and the enormous fluctuations in its exchange rate recently, there is also a fear that as an anonymous currency, it will be used to fund various activities, most of which are illegal."