1. Muslim networks and movements in Western Europe : Formation of transnational communities
There are current debates about the links Muslims in Europe have with Muslims around the globe, and whether these links create a separate global Muslim identity in contrast to an integrated European identity. There is also the debate as to whether such links create a passage to radicalism. This section focuses on how Muslims in Europe “link” with other Muslims and Muslim groups across the globe. It looks into how Muslim networks across the globe influence Muslims in the West in terms of integration, social-political participation, education, etc. It also looks into how these groups influence each other, and how they reflect on issues concerning Muslim in Europe and across the globe.
On a second level it ask the following questions; how do communication technologies create a new transnational Muslim community? How are transnational Muslim communities regardless of ethnic differences created through the use of mass media and social media? How is Islamic discourse spread through mass media, how is an Islamic thought developed and dispersed through social (mass) media? How do virtual communities bring about social change? What are the dynamics between Muslim intellectuals, mass media, and knowledge dispersion? What are the relationships between diaspora’s and online networking?
Social networking and Muslims in the West
This section focuses on how Muslims connect online to learn more about their religion, for online dating/marriage, to share experiences of stereotyping/victimization/racism/islamophobia, to present/represent their ideology. It also looks into how through social media, Muslims create a space of debate, construct and share aspirations-imaginaries-products. How is consumerism among Muslims affected by shared images on these networks? How does the common sharing of certain video’s and texts, create a global common culture among Muslim youth?
(Social) Media and Participation: Muslims in Europe
This section focuses on how social media and the press influences political tendencies of Muslims in Europe. How do Muslims construct a sense of belonging and political responsibility in Western Europe, and does social media and the press have an effect on these phenomena? How does media create a common sense of awareness and how does this awareness in the global and local scene have an impact on their social participation? How do Muslim charity organizations function within the sphere of media and social media?