F. Volker Greifenhagen (et al.) gave a talk at a regional conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) in Calgary (May 9-11, 2014)

F. Volker Greifenhagen (et al.) gave a talk at the Pacific Northwest regional conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) that took place at the University of Calgary, Calgary (AB), Canada, May 9-11, 2014 

Title of the talk
“Muslim Digital Public Spheres in Canada: Framing Research on Transformations of Canadian Muslim Perceptions of Identity, Community, Diversity, and Authority in the Internet Age”

Abstract of talk
How are Canadian Muslims using the internet, and how is digital technology shaping Canadian Islam(s)? These questions are being investigated by a collaborative research team funded nationally by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The study seeks to trace the ways that online access to local, regional, national, and transnational sources and networks are affecting how Canadian Muslim “netizens” understand religious identity, community, diversity, and authority. This paper presents the theoretical and empirical background to this study by reviewing and assessing the state of research into digital religion, especially its Muslim manifestations, with a focus on Canadian populations within a wider global context. Common themes, terminology, and methods are identified. Of special interest is the intersection between the use of the internet by Muslim religious organizations and individuals, and the transformation of the perspectives of the users by the online environment, and the relationship between understandings and practices of religious identity, community, diversity, and authority online and offline. A brief description of the methods that will be employed by the study (online survey, semi-structured interviews, and website analysis), and an invitation for volunteers interested in participating in the study, concludes the paper.

(see Final program)