Explores the impact of Western encounters with Islam and how they influenced the lives of Arab Muslims Analyses a number of controversial political debates that occurred in the Muslim world Addresses the topic from a non-Western perspective

Autorentext

Ahmed K. Al-Rawi is Assistant Professor at the Department of Communication Studies of Concordia University in Canada and a research fellow at the Media and Communication Department of Erasmus University in the Netherlands.

Zusammenfassung
This book offers empirical insight into the way Muslims reacted online towards various controversial issues related to Islam. The book examines four cases studies: The Muhammed's cartoons, the burning of the Quran controversies, Fitna and the Innocence of Muslims' films. The issues of online religion, social movements and extremism are discussed, as many of the cases in question created both uproar and unity among many YouTubers. These case studies in some instances led to the expression of extremist views by some users, and the volume argues that they helped contribute to the growth of extremism due to the utilization of these events by some terrorist groups in order to recruit new members. In the concluding chapter, social network and sentiment analyses are presented in order to investigate all the collected comments and videos, while a critical discussion of freedom of expression and hate speech is offered, with special regards to the growing online influence of far right groups and their role in on-going YouTube debates.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. The Muhammed's Cartoons.- 3. Buring the Quran.- 4. Fitna.- 5. Innocence of Muslims.- 7. Conclusion.