www.virtuallyislamic.com
"Though the book under
review was a significant work when it was first published in 2000, its importance
has increased manifold in the aftermath of the 9/11 catastrophe ... It is indeed a highly
intelligent effort to cover all aspects of what the author terms as Cyber Islamic
Environments and it is bound to initiate dialogues and provide a platform for
future work in this interesting area." Star Weekend,
Pakistan.
"Virtually Islamic is a
tiny book packed with more information and insight per
page than anything that I have encounte on the subject of religion and the
Internet. There are many audiences who can benefit from reading this volume,
but it is absolutely essential reading for students of religious movements.
" Jeffrey Hadden,
Journal of Contemporary Religion
"In the field of Islamic
Studies at least, an easily navigable map of the many
relevant Internet sites, together with an informed and intelligent commentary,
is now available. Virtually Islamic should give anyone entering cyberspace a
much greater sense of confidence and direction in looking for accurate and
balanced information about Islam or Muslims ... Virtually Islamic should
inspire us all to become more informed about, and better acquainted with, the
exciting but sometimes frustrating world of the Internet." Sean McLoughlin,
British Journal of Religious Education
" ... a valuable guide to
things Islam on the Internet, especially to readers pondering technology's
impact on religious identity or the ummah's urgent social, moral and political
questions."
Asiaweek
"The
book very nicely reflects the vast knowledge of the author both about Islam and
the internet. It is a very beautiful and rare combination of conventional world
of knowledge and the cyber information flow."
The Statesman, Peshawar
"Gary Bunt's Virtually
Islamic: Computer-mediated Communication and Cyber Islamic Environments
constitutes an important resource for scholars in the field who want to do
further research on virtual Islam. It provides clear, well presented,
interesting information for students in the field of Islamic and/or religious
studies, and for those interested in the "identity effects" of the Net. "
Resource Center for Cyberculture Studies
"Bunt, a lecturer in
Islamic studies at University of Wales, has spent long hours in front of the
computer screen (not much leg-work needed here!) and creatively analyzed the
phenomenon of Islam online. The really new feature he finds is that anyone with
access to the necessary technical equipment can set himself up as an authority
on Islam, something radically at odds with the experience of centuries of Muslim
history, when only those with credentials could do this."
Middle East Quarterly
"Virtually Islamic is a
useful book for a student of Islamic culture; the author's observations about
the changes in Islamic culture which the Internet is creating make for
interesting reading."
First Monday
"Bunt
has done a great service to Islamic Studies via the Internet and will serve as a
torchbearer and a guide for further research in this area."
IslamOnline
"Gary
Bunt's Virtually Islamic is a pioneering work in Islamic studies, the first
serious work on Islam and the Internet." Al-Ahram
"Bunt
places what he calls cyber-Islamic environments at the heart of his
scholarship."
Chronicle of Higher Education
"It's
not every day that a book about the internet emanates from a university's
theology department… Virtually Islamic is the first wide-ranging study of the
way Muslims around the world are using the net, and the impact this may have on
Islam".
The Guardian
"…
original and highly fascinating work … Clear and accessible, as well as
authoritative, this is recommended to students, specialists and non-specialists
alike."
Dialogue
"'Virtually Islamic' is a
thorough and useful introduction to an aspect of Islamic culture and
civilization which has, to date, been largely overlooked in academic work.
" Islam and
Christian-Muslim Relations
"…Recommended for scholars, upper-division undergraduate and up, interested in the convergence of religion, popular culture, and technology in the modern world."
Choice - Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, April 2001
"Antalet länkar till
Internetsidor med anknytning till islam går att räkna i tiotusental. I ett
försök att bringa ordning ur detta kaos har Gary Bunt identifierat grupperingar
och trender. Det visar sig att mångfalden i den muslimska världen bara delvis
speglas i cybervärlden. "
Sydsvenskan,
Allah är stor även på Nätet