Virtually Islamic

Thought I’d share a very interesting blog that charts the intersection of Islam and the Internet called Virtually Islamic.  It’s by Gary Bunt, the author of a number of cutting-edge books and articles on Muslims and the Internet. 

If you’re a techie like me, you’re sure to find it entertaining.  For example, he reports on a stink in Saudi Arabia at the moment over an imam who was punished for using his laptop during the khutbah (Friday sermon).

It’s inelegant and undesirable in most situations, sure.  But haram?  The Khutbah is the Muslim community’s most important forum and a place where practical matters are discussed and public announcements made.  Some topics could require visual aids, which today in practice means laptops and projectors.

Another example of how Saudi religious authorities  (such as they are) go overboard in protecting Islam from "corruption", in the process illegitimately imposing their own arbitrary opinions on other Muslims.  Not that it’s a big surprise coming from the land of the mutawa.

At least there’s a debate in Saudi over this, though.  That’s a healthy sign.