Digitally distracted Professor. Researcher/author on Islam, Muslims and the internet. Emoji-free zone. RT does not imply endorsement, etc. #HashtagIslam #Islam
Joined February 2009
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Another) Commercial Break:
The ‘#Islamic Algorithms: Online Influence in the #Muslim Metaverse’ paperback is out now @BloomsburyAcad
If you want to tap into my research on cyber-Islamic environments and AI, this is the place to start. More info: tinyurl.com/4s2sj6bj
ALT Cover art: Gary R. Bunt, ‘Islamic Algorithms: Online Influence in the Muslim Metaverse‘ book, published by Bloomsbury Academic. Education City Mosque, Doha, in the foreground. Purple sky and AI-generated horizon, with planet in the background. Taken from the virtuallyislamic.com website.
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I was pleased to see this timely @EmpirePodUK announcement from @DalrympleWill (didn't see it on BlueSky).
Also, ‘The Combined Works of William Dalrymple‘ were Si King's chosen reading on Desert Island Discs recently, quite a voluminous choice for desert island life.
Mar 31
A new mega series begins today from @EmpirePodUK
THE ARAB-ISRAELI WARS
Part One: Israel, Palestine, Suez & Closing The Straits of Tiran
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My colleague @DrAnnaGrasso has had an article based on our archival work for the @digitislam project published in Digital Muslim Review, showing some initial findings from the research period. I was a Co-Investigator for this project.
doi.org/10.32678/dmr.v3i2.93
ALT circuit board, blue, Digital Muslim Review
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from @wired camera hacking overview
wired.com/story/from-ukraine…
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Gary Bunt retweeted
UN experts condemn the unlawful military attacks launched by the #USA and #Israel against #Iran, express serious concern over Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf & broader Middle East and call for de-escalation and accountability.
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Arab Barometer's report painted a bleak picture of #food_insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa as #Ramadan approached. It showed the issue is higher in #Syria at 65%, #Tunisia at 62%, #Jordan at 61%, and #Egypt at 61% but lower in #Iraq at 47% and #Lebanon at 28%.
A recent report by the Arab Barometer, citing the ninth round of surveys conducted in 2025, found that 56% of Moroccans said their food ran out before they could afford to buy more.
The report, titled “Between Voluntary Fasting and Forced Hunger: Food Insecurity in Ramadan Across the Region,” painted a bleak picture of food insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa as Ramadan approached.
It showed the issue is higher in Syria at 65%, Tunisia at 62%, Jordan at 61%, and Egypt at 61% but lower in Iraq at 47% and Lebanon at 28%.
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Harakat Hizballah al-Nujaba (Iraqi Shia militia controlled by IRGC) released this more direct (not just via front group-It's ops are usually claimed through them) threat to more directly attack US forces. Note: Nujaba is part of the Iraqi gov approved Hashd al-Sha'abi (PMFs).
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Mar 4
"You can now say this is a global conflict."
Labour peer Admiral Lord West, former First Sea Lord, discusses the news that a US submarine has sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo.
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Mar 4
🚨 Iran just closed the Strait of Hormuz to everyone except China.
Let that sink in.
The waterway that carries 20% of the world’s oil supply — gone. Controlled by Iran. Reserved for China.
Remember what we said about the petrodollar?
This is it. This is the moment.
Gulf states already pausing LNG supplies. AI investment drying up. And now China just secured exclusive access to the most strategically vital shipping lane on earth — while America’s bases lie in ruins and six soldiers are dead.
Trump started an unauthorized war built on lies to distract from Epstein.
China just won it without firing a single shot.
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Mar 4
A journalist in Tehran:
“The continuation of the internet shutdown in Iran has created a black market for VPNs... People who are under bombs and missiles, amid the extreme rise in food prices, must also pay money to VPN mafias just to stay informed about the situation. The cycle of misery.”
تداوم #قطعی_اینترنت در ایران، باعث ایجاد بازار سیاه فیلترشکنها شده و هر ۱ گیگ، از ۳۰۰ تا ۵۰۰ هزار تومان به فروش میرسد. مردمی که زیر بمب و موشکاند، در میام گرانی وحشتناک مواد غذایی و خوراکی، برای اطلاع داشتن از وضعیت هم، باید پول به جیب مافیای فیلترشکنها بریزند.
چرخه فلاکت…
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I was on BBC Wales' "All Things Considered" to discuss AI and Islam as part of a broader exploration of faith and AI. It's available on BBC Sounds via the link below. I have plenty more to discuss on this theme ...
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002s1z…
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Mar 3
⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout has entered its fourth day, with the national censorship measure now in place for over 72 hours.
The silencing of authentic Iranian voices is fueling a surge in misinformation as pro-regime accounts fill the void with their own narrative.
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Feb 28
Airspace clearing after strikes by the United States and Israel in Iran.
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What’s striking is how similar the arguments are to George W Bush in 2003, and the imminent threat of Iraq’s WMD.
That in turn led to American fatigue with the ‘forever wars’
Which, in turn, led to Trump’s 2016 victory and a promise to end US military adventurism
And yet, here we are again.
This isn’t what Trump’s base voted for
BREAKING: Donald Trump says "we can't take it any more" as he announces that the U.S. has begun "major combat operations" in Iran.
The U.S. president confirmed the military action in a video post on Truth Social.
Latest 🔗 trib.al/oTnayiN
📺 Sky 501 and YouTube
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place.
Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.
ALT Travel update graphic dated 28 February with the title Shelter in Place for British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE. Text reads due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel, monitor official updates, and follow local authorities' instructions.
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Feb 28
Videos from Abu Dhabi a short while ago.
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Feb 28
⚠️ Confirmed: Network data show #Iran is now in the midst of a near-total internet blackout with national connectivity at 4% or ordinary levels. The incident comes amid US and Israeli combat operations and matches measures used during last year's war with Israel.
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Gary Bunt retweeted
Jan 26
⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout continues through its 18th day, obscuring the extent of a deadly crackdown on civilians.
Meanwhile, gaps in the filternet are being tightened to limit circumvention while whitelisted regime accounts promote the Islamic Republic's narrative.
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Review of ‘Islamic Algorithms' @BloomsburyAcad by Mohamed Taher (Middle East Librarians Association): "It is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in digital presence of Islam, and digital culture both in theory and practice."
mela.us/2026/01/20/islamic-a…
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