Malaysia: 'False hadiths through internet'

Bernama, Use fo False Hadis through Internet Wrong in Islam, 27 Feb 2012

'Syria’s Electronic Warriors Hit Al Jazeera'

al-akhbar.com, Syria’s Electronic Warriors Hit Al Jazeera, 24 Feb 2012 "Earlier in the week, the network’s server had been hacked by the self-styled Syrian Electronic Army, and some of its secrets were released to the media."

Report: 'Jihadism on the web'

Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), Jihadism on the web, a breeding ground for jihad in the modern age links to a pdf report and summary. I haven't read this yet. The report is 32 pages in length, and includes screenshots.

Rami al-Sayed

BBC News - Obituary: Syrian citizen journalist Rami al-Sayed, 22 Feb 2012 "Rami al-Sayed was a key provider of online videos showing the Syrian government's bombardment of the central city of Homs until his death on Tuesday."

Riyadh forum highlights role of social media

arabnews.com, Riyadh forum highlights role of social media, 24 Feb 2012 "The impact of the social media on the Saudi family, both in terms of its positives and negatives, was the theme of the first session of the First Riyadh Social Forum held Tuesday."

Syria

Somali issues

Much of this coverage contains an internet-related element

Nima Elbagir, CNN, Somali militants target addicts in UK’s ‘khat cafes’  

Guardian, Somali community in Britain begins to find its voice

"Britain's Somalis have talks with David Cameron about problems of jobs, poverty, stress and image ..."

Guardian, al-Shabaab: the Somali militant group recruiting young Britons to its ranks

"Intelligence agencies say young extremists are travelling to training camps in Somalia as they once did in Afghanistan"

VOA, Faltering al-Shabab Surrenders Strategic Somali City
 

"Al-Qaida linked rebels have surrendered Somalia's third largest city, Baidoa, without a fight, fleeing in the face of a joint offensive by pro-government forces and Ethiopian troops."

Marie Colvin's last report

"Journalist Marie Colvin in one of her last reports from Syria. She was a great journalist and an amazing person. Killed while covering the plight of the people of Homs Syria."

Marie Colvin and photographer killed

Telegraph, Syria: Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin ‘killed in Homs’, 22 Feb 2012

  “Marie Colvin, a Sunday Times journalist, and a French photographer have been killed in the besieged Syrian city of Homs after the house where they were staying was shelled.”

Malaysia and net use

New Straits Times, Jakim must draw up guidelines for net users, says ex-Mufti, 19 Feb 2012 “It is high time proper guidelines were put in place as many people have chosen to use the cyberspace to express their views and feelings openly.” [Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin]

'Porn storm reveals cleft in Egypt attitudes'

Daily Star, Porn storm reveals cleft in Egypt attitudes, 22 Feb 2012 “After calling for a blanket ban on pornography in Egypt, Mekhioun triggered a tidal wave of comment from his fellow countrymen and women – much of it supportive, but some of it coming from those who were amused, angered and utterly incensed.”

Top Ten Egyptian Blogs

Egypt Today: Top Ten Egyptian Blogs, 20 Feb 2012 “If anything was over-discussed pertaining to the January 25 Revolution, it would definitely be digital media.”

@mujtahidd

al-akbar.com, Mujtahidd: A Tweeting Thorn in the Side of Al Saud, 20 Feb 2012 "A controversial campaign by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia to discredit Twitter has failed to silence @mujtahidd, a rising tweeting star exposing the corruption of the royal family. In an exclusive interview with Al-Akhbar, @mujtahidd spoke about his motives and vision for change in the Saudi kingdom." tip: Sharquaouia

Grand Mufti calls for internet dialogue

The National, Grand Mufti calls for internet dialogue, 20 Feb 2012 

"Sheikh Ali referred to the difficulties young people face in dealing with what sometimes seems like an overwhelming amount of information, by quoting from an old Arabic poem: “It is like throwing someone all tied up into the waters and demanding of them to remain dry."

Salamworld's ambitions

Hurriyet Daily News, First Islamic Facebook aims to create ‘halal’ field for Muslims “The first global Islamic social network, called ‘Salamworld,’ aims to prevent the ‘haram’ content of Western social sites and has a target of 50 million users in five years. The network held its first global summit in Istanbul”

'NYPD Monitored Muslim Students'

IBTImes, NYPD Monitored Muslim Students, Collected Minor Details Including How Many Times They Prayed, 20 Feb 2012   “The New York Police Department (NYPD) has defended monitoring Muslim college students beyond the city limits to collect details including how many times they prayed.”

'Islam and democracy can co-exist, says Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter'

Telegraph, Islam and democracy can co-exist, says Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter, 19 Feb 2012 "Islam and democracy can co-exist, says Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of freed Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, says the Arab Spring has shown that Islam and democracy can co-exist and propel the opposition into power in Malaysia at elections later this year."

'Iranian Activists, Journalists Receive Threatening E-mails'

RFE/RL, Iranian Activists, Journalists Receive Threatening E-mails, 14 Feb 2012 "The e-mails, which have been sent since February 13, warned activists of their “illegal activities” and said they will be dealt with according to Iranian Islamic laws. The e-mails claim that a list has been created including names and e-mail addresses of individuals accused of working for the goals of “foreigners“ and “seditionists,” which are terms used by Iranian officials to refer to the members of the opposition Green Movement."

Hajj app

Economist, The smart way to Mecca, 13 Feb 2012 "The app, currently available only for iPhone, though an Android version is in the works, is called Amir, which means “guide” in Arabic (among other things). It offers a check-list to ensure the pilgrim is fully prepared before setting off to Saudi Arabia. It also includes interactive tutorials, for instance on what to do while walking seven times counter-clockwise around the Kabah, the Black Stone, or how properly to stone the Devil. Once they arrive, pilgrims can use Amir to check where they are and to locate their tent. On top of that, the app has a built-in emergency button so people in need can easily be located by an ambulance or the police." Tip:(dbreunig) 

Details: iTunes, AMIR Personal Hajj Assistant for Men

Here's a related article I wrote some time back on apps. I am writing more about apps for a forthcoming chapter (work in progress):

Gary R. Bunt, Surfing the App Souq: Islamic Applications for Mobile Devices, CyberOrient, Vol. 4, Iss. 1, 2010

Critical Muslim: 'Top Ten Towering Fatwas'

hurstblog, Critical Muslim: Top Ten Towering Fatwas Opinion: “A spectre is haunting Muslims—the spectre of fatwas. All the powers of old Islam have entered into a holy alliance: to issue more and more fatwas, each as ridiculous as the other, and thus drown the Islamic earth in a pestiferous flood of fatwas.” Refers to online pronouncements.

e-Jihad

memri.org, Muslim Clerics: Cyber Warfare against Israel Is a Form of Jihad extracts from fatwa opinions, edited by MEMRI.

Iran net disruption

The H, Reports: Iran disrupts secure internet connections - Update, 13 Feb 2012 "According to reports, encrypted internet connections have been systematically disrupted in Iran since last Thursday. As a result, numerous services including some email and online banking sites no longer function, at least not if a server is located outside of the Islamic republic, though existing reports disagree on some of the details."

AFP, Iran chokes Internet at politically sensitive time, 13 Feb 2012 "Attempts to get on Facebook, Gmail, Yahoo and foreign news pages were either met with an Iranian page saying in Farsi that "Access to this page is a violation of computer crime laws" or the connection was slowed to such an extent to make it nearly impossible."

mobiledia.com, U.S. Helps Iranians Bypass Internet Block to Organize Protests, 13 Feb 2012 "A U.S.-based project is helping Iranians skirt government Web restrictions, aiding protest efforts by allowing citizens to coordinate online."

'Malaysia defends deporting Saudi journalist for tweet'

BBC News, Malaysia defends deporting Saudi journalist for tweet, 13 Feb 2012 "Malaysia defends its deportation of a Saudi journalist accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a tweet, saying it cannot be seen as a safe haven."

Abu Qatada

NY Times, Britain Releases Militant Preacher, 13 Feb 2012

'Somalia’s militants group al-Shabab joins al-Qaida'

AP, Somalia’s militants group al-Shabab joins al-Qaida, 9 Feb 2012, Qaida leader says in video “… the new al-Zawahri video — which was posted on an Islamic Internet forum on Thursday — is the first formal welcoming of al-Shabab by the new al-Qaida leader. The new video also featured al-Shabab chairman Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr, also known as Godane, pledging allegiance to al-Zawahri.”

RevolutionMuslim.com

ArtsBeat: Man Pleads Guilty to Making Online Threats Against South Park Creators, 9 Feb 2012 "Jesse Curtis Morton went by the name Younus Abdullah Mohammad when he and another man, Zachary A. Chesser, wrote on a radical Muslim Web site that an episode of “South Park” had insulted the Prophet Muhammad."

Trial outcome

AFP, Nine Islamists jailed for plotting terror attacks, 9 Feb 2012 “[Judge] Wilkie said they were “fundamentalist Islamists who have turned to violent terrorism in direct response to material, both propagandist and instructive, issued on the Internet by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.”“

KSA tweet controversy

news.com.au, Saudi Hamza Kashgari faces death calls after prophet tweets, 10 Feb 2012 “A young Saudi journalist is facing calls for his execution after tweeting about the Prophet Mohammed, and the kingdom’s top clerics are demanding his trial after denouncing him as an “apostate”.”

mosireen.org

ihya blog, Mosireen, "Mosireen is a non-profit media centre in Downtown Cairo born out of the explosion of citizen journalism and cultural activism in Egypt during the revolution. Armed with mobile phones and cameras, thousands upon thousands of citizens kept the balance of truth in their country by recording events as they happened in front of them, wrong-footing censorship and empowering the voice of a street-level perspective. "Mosireen, in just three months of production, has become the most viewed non-profit YouTube channel in Egypt of all time, and is the most viewed non-profit channel in the whole world for this month."

'Radical U.S. Muslims pose little threat, study says'

NYT, Radical U.S. Muslims pose little threat, study says, 7 Feb 2012 “A feared wave of homegrown terrorism by radicalized Muslim Americans has not materialized, with plots and arrests dropping sharply over the two years since an unusual peak in 2009, according to a new study by a North Carolina research group.”

womenundersiegeproject.org

womenundersiegeproject.org, Q&A: Gloria Steinem on ending rape in war "It doesn’t matter where you look; sexualized violence is intrinsic to conflict. Gaddafi’s soldiers committed rape in the last days of Libya’s regime. The Egyptian military has been sexually violating female journalists and protesters in that revolution. Across the Democratic Republic of Congo, hundreds of thousands of women are suffering the fallout of the sexualized violence that has torn apart their bodies, their families, and their communities."

Syria update

BBC News, 'Despair and hysteria in Homs', 8 Feb 2012 “Residents of the Syrian city of Homs, which has been under bombardment from government forces for five days, are despairing of their situation, the BBC’s correspondent there says.”

'Battle for Syria rages across the internet'

f.t.com, Battle for Syria rages across the internet, 7 Feb 2012 “As a live, online video-stream broadcast the terrifying sounds of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s forces pounding opposition strongholds in Homs yesterday, another battle was raging on an instant-messaging forum.”

Boko Haram

jamestown.org, Boko Haram: A Militant Leadership Monitor Special Report "In this “Special Report on Boko Haram: Nigeria’s Islamist Movement” we examine the rise of Boko Haram’s elusive leader Abu Shekau, and the policies of the group’s charismatic leader – Mohammed Yusuf – the former leader whose death in 2009 led to Abu Shekau’s rise as well as increased international focus on the group's activities in recent years." Publication available to purchase via this link I haven't seen this, but it sounds interesting.

A Brief Introduction to the Female Voices in Arab Hip Hop

The Political Notebook: A Brief Introduction to the Female Voices in Arab Hip Hop

Google and Facebook block content in India

Guardian, Google and Facebook block content in India, 6 Feb 2012

“A New Delhi lower court hearing one of the cases, a civil suit brought by an Islamic scholar, told the companies on Monday to put in writing the steps they had taken to block offensive content, and submit reports within 15 days.

“"Microsoft has filed an application for rejection of the suit on the grounds that it disclosed no cause of action against Microsoft,” a spokesperson for the company said. “The matter is sub judice and no further comments can be given.”

“That suit was brought by a scholar, Mufti Aijaz Arshad Qasm, who runs a website called fatwaonline.org, which gives answers to moral questions.”

Iran: Innovations in Cyber Dictatorship

Fred Petrossian, globalvoicesonline.org, Iran: Innovations in Cyber Dictatorship, 7 Feb 2012 “The Iranian regime not only represses bloggers and filters websites and blogs, but has many times used the internet creatively as a tool to increase pressure or spread fear.”

Shafia murders: Fatwa issued against honour killings, domestic violence, hatred of women

The Star, Shafia murders: Fatwa issued against honour killings, domestic violence, hatred of women, 4 Feb 2012 "Muslim clerics in Canada issued a fatwa on Saturday against honour killings, domestic violence and hatred of women." Includes online thread to this story (relating to online reactions)

Report: Roots of violent radicalisation

Home Affairs Committee - Nineteenth Report. Roots of violent radicalisation, 31 Jan 2012

Commons Select Committee, MPs urge internet providers to tackle on-line extremism  "The Committee concludes that the internet is one of the most significant vehicles for promoting violent radicalism - more so than prisons, universities or places of worship, although direct, personal contact with radicals is in many cases also a significant factor. Witnesses told the Committee that the internet played a part in most, if not all, cases of violent radicalisation."

smh.com.au, UK lawmakers: Most radicalism linked to Internet, 6 Feb 2012

Syria: updates

Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre - Facebook page

Googlemaps - Syrian 2011 Uprising Centre is providing an updated map on current events:


View Syria - Sunday 05/02/2012 in a larger map

Andy Carvin's Twitter feed - Essential source on Egypt, Syria + +

Ahmed Al Omran is another important source on current issues in Syria, Egypt, etc. I write about Ahmed Al Omran in 'iMuslims' and elsewhere. This links to his twitter feed: @ahmed


There are so many videos coming out of Syria at the moment - here's one very graphic example:


tech2, Syria under attack, social media floods, 4 Feb 2012. Useful article and collection of links.

Commercial controversy

alarabiya.net, Iran considers partial ban on Samsung after Israeli ad shows bombing of nuke facilities, 3 Feb 2012 “A commercial in Israel featuring Mossad agents disguised as Iranian veiled women who end up blowing up an Iranian nuclear plant using a Samsung tablet has earned the wrath of the Islamic republic."

‘Kyai’ Twitter: When clerics go online

thejakartapost.com, ‘Kyai’ Twitter: When clerics go online, 3 Feb 2012 “Rest assured, the presence of moderate clerics on the Internet has given new optimism for disseminating moderate teachings to Indonesian Muslims. In addition, preaching through social media might serve as an effective tool for deradicalization.”

Women and the Arab uprisings: 8 'agents of change' to follow

CNN, Women and the Arab uprisings: 8 'agents of change' to follow, 3 Feb 2012 “Recently, hundreds of women from across the Middle East attended a conference in Egypt to discuss how technology and the Internet, namely social media, can be used to protect and advance women’s goals in the region. The Egyptian-American pundit Mona Eltahaway moderated the conference, taking the stage with both arms in casts. In November, she was sexually assaulted and beaten by soldiers near Tahrir Square. The plaster didn’t preclude her from articulating her message: “The most revolutionary thing a woman can do is share her experience as if it matters.”“

The article has links to twitter feeds of activists

'Fesbuk'

AFP/Dawn, Welcome to Indonesia – the ‘Fesbuk’ country, 2 Feb 2012 "With even cheap cell phones in Indonesia sold already bundled with Facebook applications, for many, “Fesbuk” – as it is written in the national Bahasa language – simply is the internet."

Halal food controversy in Australia

www.humeweekly.com.au, What a whopper: spat rages over halal burger claims, 2 Feb 2012 "The social media campaign against Hungry Jack's stems from claims that the chain's Tullamarine store was issued with a halal certificate by the Islamic Coordinating Council of Victoria in December that sanctioned a number of its chicken and beef burgers as halal."

'Israeli commercial ridicules veil'

alarabiya.net, Israeli commercial ridicules veil, angers Muslims, 2 Feb 2012 "The commercial, which was produced by Israelis, spread rapidly on the social networking website Facebook and the video sharing website YouTube. It depicts four male Mossad agents disguised as women wearing headscarves."

Football tragedy

AP/Emirates247, 74 killed, 1,000 injured in Egypt's 'worst-ever' football riot, 2 Feb 2012 "Al Masri fans flooded the pitch, throwing rocks, bottles and fireworks at Al Ahly supporters, sparking chaos and panic as Al Ahly players and fans ran in all directions trying to flee, witnesses said.

"Photos of bleeding players circulated on the Internet."

Virtually Islamic blog

Just set up a new (parallel) version of the Virtually Islamic blog on Tumblr virtuallyislamic.tumblr.com. Posts will be similar to this one, so you can pick which flavour of blog works for you. Early days yet - I'm still experimenting with format, etc. - feedback welcome. I'm planning a major re-boot of the main site later in the year.

Four men admit London Stock Exchange bomb plot

BBC News, Four men admit London Stock Exchange bomb plot, 1 Feb 2012 "Four men inspired by al-Qaeda have admitted planning to detonate a bomb at the London Stock Exchange." There are several references to internet materials in this case.

Abu Musab al-Suri

Daily Star, Rumors swirl that Syria freed Al-Qaeda No. 4 from prison, 1 Feb 2012 refers to speculation on 'freeing' of Mustafa Setmariam Nasr, (Abu Musab al-Suri)

'Saudi Arabia: a Kingdom on the move'

ABC, Saudi Arabia: a Kingdom on the move, 31 Jan 2012 "The internet in Saudi Arabia has simultaneously functioned as a catalyst for social liberalisation and change, as well as a reinforcer and radicaliser of conservative ideological identities, as it exposes a previously sheltered population to a kaleidoscopic array of external influences, ideas and discourse. Previous religious edicts, also known as Fatwas, against radio and television, the wearing of baseball caps and the drinking of the Israeli-linked Coca Cola (Pepsi was fine, however) have failed to stymie their encroachment into Saudi society."

'Intelligence Report Lists Iran and Cyberattacks as Leading Concerns'

NYT, Intelligence Report Lists Iran and Cyberattacks as Leading Concerns, 31 Jan 2012 "Flanked by senior intelligence officials from throughout the government, Mr. Clapper also noted the rising volatility in the Middle East and North Africa after the popular uprisings of the Arab Spring, increasing threats of cyberattacks against government and private business computer systems, continued tensions with North Korea over its nuclear program and rising drug-fueled violence in Mexico and Central America that threatens to spill over the border."

'Islam, John Locke and the future of the internet'

MEED, Islam, John Locke and the future of the internet, 31 Jan 2012 "Business leaders spoke out at the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority’s annual summit, but had little to say about the latest storm over the internet."

'Twitter is a platform for promoting lies: Saudi Mufti'

emirates247.com, Twitter is a platform for promoting lies: Saudi Mufti, 29 Jan 2012 "Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti (religious chief) has launched a virulent attack on the social networking site Twitter, saying it has become a platform for promoting lies, newspapers in the Gulf Kingdom reported on Sunday."

Martyr database

Daily News Egypt, Online database keeps memory of martyrs alive "Kicking off on the first anniversary of the January 25 uprising, Lan Nansahom is a database compiling all the names of those killed and injured while fighting for democracy."

lan-nansahom.org

The Daily News Egypt, Online database keeps memory of martyrs alive

see لن ننساهم lan-nansahom.org

'Twitter to delete posts if countries request it'

CNN, Twitter to delete posts if countries request it, 27 Jan 2012 "Twitter said Thursday it will begin deleting users' tweets in countries that require it, but will keep the tweets visible elsewhere."

Boko Haram 'leader' issues new threats in internet message

Sapa-AFP/timeslive.co.za, Boko Haram 'leader' issues new threats in internet message, 27 Jan 2012 "The purported leader of Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has issued new threats in a message posted on YouTube while also saying last week's attacks in Kano were over the torture of its members."

'Pro-Palestinian hackers apologise for cyber attack on Haaretz newspaper website'

The National, Pro-Palestinian hackers apologise for cyber attack on Haaretz newspaper website, 27 Jan 2012, "The group claimed responsibility shortly after the attack, tweeting: "haaretz.co.il Tango Down :)". But yesterday morning an apology appeared on the same Twitter account "@haaretzprint we are sorry, we didn't know that haaretz is a good newspaper, we sorry about this, and be sure no one will attack u again"."

Hajj exhibition

Guardian, Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam – review I look forward to seeing this exhibition in due course (sounds like it might be difficult to get a ticket!). Also see the British Museums Hajj exhibition page

G-A-B

NY Times, Now Able to Exhale, Libyan Rappers Find a Voice, 10 Jan 2012 only just picked this one up via last weekend's Observer NYT supplement. "A small crowd of boys huddled around the open door of a concrete shed turned recording studio to gawk at a trio of Libyan rappers in black baseball caps and oversize hoodies mixing tracks on a wide computer screen."
   

'Egypt's Revolutionary Music'

Huffington Post, Egypt's Revolutionary Music, And 7 Other Revolutions That Turned To Song (AUDIO) "The songs of the Arab Spring draw on hip-hop, rap, rock, pop and more, vividly capturing the frustration, anger, and hope of the countries they originate within. And in those countries, releasing such songs at all is itself an act of rebellion."

Islamopedia

Islamopedia Online | Translation and Analysis of Commentary and Opinion from the Islamic World [some useful articles on contemporary issues]

Opinion piece: WikiLeaks, Manning and the Pentagon

www.aljazeera.com, WikiLeaks, Manning and the Pentagon: Blood on whose hands? "The bodycount that resulted from Pfc Manning's leaks have amounted to zero thus far, while his accusers stand bloody."

Jan 25 - how Egypt's bloggers see the revolution one year on

Guardian, Jan 25 - how Egypt's bloggers see the revolution one year on, 25 Jan 2012 "Three bloggers who have documented Egypt's revolution online share how they covered events in 2011 and tell us what the anniversary of 25 January means to them." One of a series of articles relating to social networking and Egypt.

Ahmed Al-Tayeb

bikyamasr.com, Egypt: Sheikh of Al-Azhar outlines 12 steps to achieve the demands of the revolution "The Grand Imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar Sunni authority, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, delivered a speech marking the anniversary of Egypt’s January 25 Revoltuion, calling upon people to preserve unity and integrity as they observe the day."

Tahrir Square assaults

bikyamasr.com, Exclusive: Woman tells of having pants ripped off, assaulted and prodded in Egypt’s Tahrir Square, 26 Jan 2012 "Later in the night, the issue of sexual violence toward women was sparked after an eyewitness reported on the micro-blogging site Twitter that a foreign woman was stripped, groped and assaulted by another mob of men in the square."

Maikel Nabil

Bikya Masr, After months of waiting, Egypt blogger Maikel Nabil is freed - "Jailed Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil, considered by most to be Egypt’s first prisoner of conscience after jailed by the military junta early last year, was freed on Tuesday, his brother Mark wrote on Twitter."

Call for articles: “The Net Worth of the Arab Spring”

Recently received notice (please reply to editorial address below, not myself):

“The Net Worth of the Arab Spring”

Call for Papers

CyberOrient: Online Journal of the Virtual Middle East

Editor-in-Chief: Daniel Martin Varisco

Guest Editor: Ines Braune

Submission deadline: 31 May 2012

Aim

As the first anniversary of the “Arab Spring” nears, several long-standing dictators have been toppled, protests still continue in other countries and new governments are being formed.  Arguably, throughout this last year digital media have played an important, if not defining, role through Twitter, Facebook, blogs and the extensive news coverage in cyberspace. This is a call for papers across disciplines aiming for critical and evidence-based evaluation of the use of social media in the Arab Spring, the coverage of the Arab Spring in cyberspace and beyond, and the remediation and appropriation between social media and traditional media outlets, including satellite TVs and the press. First-person and ethnographic accounts are welcomed, but CyberOrient welcomes contributions from any field.

About CyberOrient

CyberOrient (http://www.cyberorient.net/) is a peer-reviewed journal published by the Middle East Section of the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague. The aim of the journal is to provide research and theoretical considerations on the representation of Islam and the Middle East, the very areas that used to be styled as an “Orient”, in cyberspace, as well as the impact of the internet and new media in Muslim and Middle Eastern contexts.  The articles will be published online with free access in early autumn, 2012.

Submission

Articles should be submitted directly to Ines Braune

(ines.braune@uni-marburg.de) and Vit Sisler (vsisler@gmail.com).

'The badly kept secret of Israel's trade throughout the Muslim world'

Ha'aretz, The badly kept secret of Israel's trade throughout the Muslim world, 19 Jan 2012 "Israeli business quietly thrives in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and in far-off countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, too. Company owners on both sides do all they can to avoid harmful publicity. Contacts are made at international conferences overseas, through European and U.S. companies familiar with both sides, and directly over the Internet. "

"Technology, particularly the Internet, is making the world smaller," explains Eliran Malul at Arab Markets, which brokers deals in Arab countries. "Arab entrepreneurs are interested in Israeli technologies and search them out through the Internet and social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn."

Inspire magazine in Guantanamo

AP/Daily Mail, Al-Qaeda magazine that gives tips on how to kill Americans was smuggled into Guantanamo Bay, 18 Jan 2012

''Sheikh' Google'

Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Jakarta Post, Phenomenon in global education: A ‘sheikh’ called Google, 20 Jan 2012 " ... Google is now assuming honorary status that used to be occupied by the “sheikh” or masters in traditional society. Google is now acting like a new “sheikh” who may help Muslims with knowledge and information about Islam. Even religious edicts or fatwas are now abundantly available on the Internet, and Sheikh Google can help us locate them in a split second."

'Senior al Qaeda operative 'killed by US drone strike''

Telegraph, Senior al Qaeda operative 'killed by US drone strike', 20 Jan 2012

Moeed Abdul Salam case

Daily Mail, Moeed Abdul Salam: From US boarding school student to al Qaeda terrorist "Salam went on to study history at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1996. His Facebook profile indicated he moved to Saudi Arabia by 2003 and began working as a translator, writer and editor for websites about Islam.

"'Anyone can pick up a gun, but there aren't as many people who can code html and understand the use of proxies,' said Evan Kohlmann, a senior partner a Flashpoint Global Partners, which tracks radical Muslim propaganda."

'Revolution 2.0' - Wael Ghonim book

NPR, Social Media Advances 'Revolution' In Egypt : NPR "Egyptian cyber activist and former Google executive Wael Ghonim talks to Steve Inskeep about his new book Revolution 2.0, which chronicles his role, and that of social media, in the toppling the regime of Hosni Mubarak." Look forward to reading this sometime.

Golshifteh Farahani

alArabiyya, After posing nude, Paris-based Iranian actress is warned to not return home, 18 Jan 2012 "“I do not support what she did nor reject it, because it was her personal choice, but I love her courage,” wrote one Iranian blogger named Alfred. “She did what the Egyptian blogger Alya Majda al-Mahdi did, and this is to protest against gender discrimination and the forced veil,” he wrote. The blogger was referring to a similar instance, when al-Mahdi took off her clothes to pose naked in protest against what she saw as unfair practices."

Marines' YouTube clip controversy

msnbc.com, 'Deplorable': U.S. defense chief condemns urinating Marines video, 12 Jan 2012 "An Internet video showing what appear to be U.S. forces in Afghanistan urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters will not affect efforts to broker peace talks, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban said Thursday."

Malaysia politics

Asia Sentinel, Malaysia Election Around the Corner? 12 Jan 2012 "The allegations of corruption have cost the country four places in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, dropping it to a still relatively respectable 60th. But it is the third straight year the country has slipped in the perceptions index – all three of them occurring on Najib’s watch. Although the mainstream media, all of which are owned by the component parties of the Barisan have tended to downplay the corruption reports, it is estimated that 41 percent of Malaysians now have access to the Internet – and a huge flock of opposition bloggers and websites, some of which, such as Malaysian Insider and Malaysiakini, are very professionally produced, and which pull no punches on reporting corruption and government mismanagement."

CNN Videos from Syria

al-Shabaab case: update

Middle East Online, Court charges ex-US soldier with trying to join Somalia’s Shebab, 10 Jan 2012 "Ex-US soldier with specialist intelligence, cryptology training has been charged with trying to join Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab." More on this breaking case.

Opinion: "The Saudi response to the ‘Arab spring’"

Madawi Al-Rasheed, opendemocracy.net, The Saudi response to the ‘Arab spring’: containment and co-option, 10 Jan 2012 "Saudi Arabia’s response to the ‘Arab spring’ has been an attempt to co-opt movements for change in a bid to maintain the status quo. Madawi Al-Rasheed talks to Deniz Kandiyoti about the contradictions of a ruling elite that promotes a conservative Islam, that threatens women’s existing rights abroad – as in Tunisia and Egypt – while it poses as the emancipator of women at home."

Refers to Manal al-Sharif's online campaign.

Egyptian Brotherhood

AP/Guardian, Egypt's Brotherhood treads carefully after victory, 10 Jan 2012, 

"The Freedom and Justice party's political manifesto, posted on the group's website, does not speak of the prohibition of alcohol and the segregation of the sexes, but there is enough there to suggest it may just be a matter of time .

" ... It [the manifesto] also says it will create a network of Internet sites that "bolsters constructive culture, and the social and religious values of Arab and Islamic societies.""

al-Shabaab 'recruit': ongoing trial

baltimoresun.com, Ex-soldier from Laurel charged with trying to join terrorist group in Somalia, 9 Jan 2012 "The soldier from Laurel had never been particularly religious. But with his deployment and his time in the military coming to an end, prosecutors say, an online article about Judgment Day spoke to him. When he returned to Maryland, they say, he began to make plans to live out his life in a land governed by Sharia law."

"Facebook Un-Islamic"

The Jakarta Globe, Facebook Un-Islamic, Membership a Sin, Iranian Ayatollah Says, 7 Jan 2012 "ISNA on Saturday broadcast coverage of the response of Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi-Golpaygani, a senior cleric, to the question about Facebook and Iranian membership in the social networking service.

"“Basically, going to any Web site which propagates immoralities and could weaken the religious belief is un-Islamic and not allowed, and membership in it is therefore haram [a sin],” the ayatollah replied."

"Al Qaeda home-delivers magazine in Pakistan"

'Special delivery':

Press Trust of India/ndtv.com, Al Qaeda home-delivers magazine in Pak: Report, 9 Jan 2012 "Al Qaeda continues to preach jihad or 'Holy War' through an Urdu monthly magazine that is delivered to homes in cities across Pakistan by post, according to a media report on Monday.

"The 200-page magazine, Hiteen, is named after the battlefield where Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi defeated the Crusaders and features articles that preach jihad and praise Osama bin Laden."

''Briton in Kenya radicalised in shoe bomber’s prison'

AFP/capitalfm Kenya, Briton in Kenya radicalised in shoe bomber’s prison, 9 Jan 2012 "An extremist accused of heading a wave of British recruits to an Al-Qaeda group plotting attacks in Kenya was radicalised in the same prison as shoe bomber Richard Reid, a report said on Sunday."

Solar laptop

bdnews24.com, Samsung to bring 'solar' laptop in Bangladesh: official, 9 Jan 2012 "An official of Samsung Electronics said on Monday that they were trying to bring 'solar' laptop to Bangladesh for the people who cannot afford power-fed computers."

Anwar Ibrahim acquitted

BBC News, Anwar Ibrahim 'elated' at acquittal on sodomy charges, 9 Jan 2012

The Star, Rais: Anwar's acquittal shows independence of judiciary (Updated), 9 Jan 2012

Telegraph, Explosions injure two after Anwar Ibrahim acquittal, 9 Jan 2012

Wall Street Journal, Handicapping Anwar Ibrahim’s Odds for Malaysia’s Premiership, 9 Jan 2012 "Just hours after Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted of charges that he sodomized a male former aide, attention was already turning to whether he would contest the next national elections in Malaysia – and more importantly, whether he could win."

'Hackers expose defence and intelligence officials in US and UK

Guardian, Hackers expose defence and intelligence officials in US and UK, 9 Jan 2012 "Among the huge database of private information exposed by self-styled "hacktivists" are the details of 221 British military officials and 242 Nato staff. Civil servants working at the heart of the UK government – including several in the Cabinet Office as well as advisers to the Joint Intelligence Organisation, which acts as the prime minister's eyes and ears on sensitive information – have also been exposed."

'Al-Qaeda Members Gripe Over Cash Crunch as U.S. Goes After Terror Funding'

bloomberg.com, Al-Qaeda Members Gripe Over Cash Crunch as U.S. Goes After Terror Funding, 9 Jan 2012 "Few people noticed Saudi Arabia’s three-day conference in September on disrupting terrorism financing. For a team at the U.S. Treasury Department, though, it was a long-sought victory in the fight against al-Qaeda."

'2012 Brings Muslim Facebook to Greek Muslims'

Greek Reporter, 2012 Brings Muslim Facebook to Greek Muslims, 9 Jan 2012 "From Twittering Quranic verses and religious injunctions to using smartphone apps like iPray and iQuran to find the nearest mosque or halal restaurants, the emergence of Muslim social networking is an interesting phenomenon that can perhaps be attributed to the need to create a more conservative forum for discussion with stricter regulations. Islamic social network sites aim to connect the world’s Muslim communities to each other and to the wider world through shared online experiences, but none of these sites even comes close to the 800 million active users of Facebook – until now."

'Iran further restricts Facebook and Twitter'

Mashable/muslimvillage.com, Iran further restricts Facebook and Twitter, prepares its own internet "Iran is testing a domestic Internet, a “Halal” network that will restrict citizens from penetrating foreign sites. Internet users this week reported delays in their network connections, which is believed to be connected to the new network’s trial run."

Reading List: 'Godwired'

Rachel Wagner, Godwired: Religion, Ritual and Virtual Reality (Routledge) "Godwired offers an engaging exploration of religious practice in the digital age. It considers how virtual experiences, like stories, games and rituals, are forms of world-building or "cosmos construction" that serve as a means of making sense of our own world. Such creative and interactive activity is, arguably, patently religious."

Have yet to read this one.

aQ Franchises

Sreeram Chaulia, Asia Times Online, The rise of al-Qaeda's franchises, 6 Jan 2012 "The recent series of deadly bombings in Baghdad and Damascus that killed scores of civilians and agents of state have brought the phrase "al-Qaeda" back into the reckoning."

Skype issues

Mirror, Al-Qaeda bomb plotter moans he can't use Skype in jail "An al-Qaeda terrorist locked up for 30 years is furious the prison has banned him from using Skype."

'Saudi hackers target Israeli credit details'

Channel 4 News, Saudi hackers target Israeli credit details, 4 Jan 2012, "Saudi Arabian hackers have claimed a successful cyber attack on Israeli computer servers, publishing the financial details and mobile phone numbers of an estimated 400,000 people."

'Social Media Carries Prison Message From Iranian Activist'

RFE/RL, Social Media Carries Prison Message From Iranian Activist, 3 Jan 2012, "A well-known Iranian political activist, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, has managed to send out an unprecedented video message from the Rajayishahr prison in which he dismisses Iran's repressive measures aimed at silencing dissent and predicts they will fail."

'Iran Announces New Restrictions For Internet Cafes'

RFE/RL, Iran Announces New Restrictions For Internet Cafes, 4 Jan 2012 "Iran's cyberpolice have issued new guidelines for Internet cafes that appear to be part of the Iranian establishment's efforts to tighten its control of the Internet."

'Expert meeting in Makkah on ethics of internet use in scientific research'

IINA, Islam/Internet: Expert meeting in Makkah on ethics of internet use in scientific research, 3 Jan 2012 "As well as developing a roadmap to tailor laws and ethics for scientific research carried out via the internet to the principles of Islamic Law, the meeting will review participant countries’ experiences on the matter, examine laws regarding the use of the internet and its systems to combat cybercrimes, identify tools to gear the internet to scientific research, and establish a draft regulatory framework thereto."

KSA protests

Human Rights Watch, Saudi Arabia: Renewed Protests Defy Ban, 30 Dec 2011 "Saudi reform advocates have staged several protests since mid-December, 2011, despite a categorical ban on protests issued last March, Human Rights Watch said today."