Digital Islamic Authority and Muslim Identity within the Western Context

Wael Hegazy & Reda Abdelgaliil 

The expanding online religious experience is increasingly challenging, if not supplanting, the traditional offline counterpart, necessitating a thorough examination of the mechanisms underlying this transformative influence. Furthermore, this cyber-mediated religious experience has a significant influence not just on individuals who engage in religious pursuits through online channels, but also on authority structures and identity dynamics. Particularly, an overarching inquiry arises: does this switch from offline to online domains delineate a hybrid portrayal of contemporary Western Muslim religious life? Therefore, a critical examination regarding the ensuing status of traditional religious authorities within the Western milieu subsequent to this transition towards the online sphere is necessary. By synthesizing insights from the existing literature on Digital Islam and a comprehensive analysis of contemporary circumstances, this study argues that the emergence of Islamic cyber experience in the western world which has forged a new dimension for Muslims. Notably, the Cyber Islamic Environment (CIE), which competes with the traditional physical religious sphere, has had a significant impact on several elements of Muslim religious life. Within this investigation, emphasis is placed on two key tenets—authority and identity—to elucidate the multifaceted impacts experienced by Muslim communities. In terms of authority, while the traditional Islamic authority remains stable, cohesive, and community-centric, the cyber authority is characterized by being individualistic, uncensored, and heightened stringency, albeit being more accessible. The same applies to identity. Unlike the relatively stable and authentic nature of spatial identity, characterized by its static and realistic features, cyber identity is characterized by volatility, lack of genuineness, and a propensity for constant change.