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It is almost certain that we all have heard the sentence "the computers are down," and therefore nothing can be done immediately. This happens in almost every organization from time to time. The fact is, we have become more and more technologically dependent with every passing day.
Universities and schools are also heavily dependent on the technological advances in teaching, learning, and research. Currently, the computer and the Internet have become the main tools in this process. This development has come from the West, leaving no one unaffected whether in the East, West, North or South. Since it has been developed in the West, it has "Western" connotations to it, by way of both language and culture. Transferring such a technology to peoples of different cultures, religions, languages, and social conditions raises serious concerns and conflicts.
Research into the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on global society is a growing area of interest in many organizations. The impact on Islam and the Muslim world is even more challenging, since not all Western values run parallel to Islamic ones. This is an area where more and more research is necessary so that the Muslim world can make more positive use of this tool called the "Internet." The computers and the Internet are here to stay. We cannot run away from them, so we must meet the challenge head on. The author of this article has spent considerable time researching on issues related to the use of the Internet at home within Muslim families.
In the Dark on Cyberspace
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The onward march of technology confronts parents with new challenges and particularly Muslim parents, the majority of whom are still not literate in ICT. Their children are utilizing computers in schools — and in many cases in their homes — often without parental supervision or guidance. Parents appear to be consigned to the peripheries because they have not been informed about what is it they are supposed to do. Some Muslim parents therefore face this double dilemma of not being computer-literate themselves and not knowing how to supervise their children's use of the Internet.
The Internet at home is a double-edged sword. It can help you succeed, but it can equally cause harm to the user, depending entirely on how this tool is used. It is therefore extremely important that Muslims, especially Muslim parents, should recognize this tool's dual capability.
On the positive side, the Internet now carries countless websites offering information about Islam, Muslims, and the Muslim world. The whole Qur'an and Hadith are available in English, Arabic, and many other languages on the Internet. Indeed, many people converted to Islam having obtained their initial information from the Internet. I have met many persons around the world, from the US to Australia, whose conversion to Islam began with the Internet; this is great news. Parents can be happy that their children can find considerable information on Islam through the Internet which would be useful for their information and school projects, but it is extremely important to be aware of unauthentic Islamic websites whose sole purpose is to spread hatred against Islam and Islamic practices. Then there are Islamic websites that on the face of it appear to be Islamic but are indirectly spreading misleading information about Islam and are engaging scholars on an unproductive path.
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A Tool for the Family
Computer programs like ALIM, Al-Ustaadh, and Al-Qari are now available. Through these programs, children can learn Arabic and Islamic studies within the comfort of their own homes, if a good madrasah is not available in the area where they live. These programs are very popular in the US and Australia where Muslim families could be living in remote areas. Madrasahs in the UK could equally make good use of these programs as a teaching resource. The problem in the UK is that madrasah teachers who are computer-literate are not easy to find.
E-mail and Internet telephone facilities are improving relations and communications within the Muslim families and their children who can keep in touch with their relatives across the world. Maintaining these ties was not easy during the days of letter writing. Muslim families and their children can benefit considerably when booking flights, holidays and hotels abroad and the currency conversion facilities on the Internet can be an exciting exercise for children and adults alike. Shopping from home via the Internet is now quite popular in the West, and Muslim women with small children can make use of this facility if they prefer not to go to supermarkets or during the months when they are expecting a child. The disabled and the old can also make use of this facility if they are, of course, computer-literate.
Muslim matrimonial websites have become very popular for the selection of a marriage partner. This is a topic that would require a separate article, but in brief, presently, it is important to realize that these facilities are here and have proved successful in bringing couples and their families together right across the globe, which is a good reflection of the global nature of Islam and the Muslim world. However, caution is very important when selecting a partner from Matrimonial websites.
Hidden Dangers
One of the first recommendations by the Home Office, UK, to parents is that the computer system in the home should be installed in the living area of the house and not in the child's bedroom. One of the main Internet pitfalls is that pornographic websites can be accessed intentionally. Equally, these websites can be stumbled upon unintentionally, because they are specifically designed to be reached accidentally, e.g. a pop-up on the screen or the use of certain words. If the computer system is in the living area, the parents and other members of the family can see what is on the screen.
There are websites which teach how to make a bomb, to kill, to commit other crimes, or to commit suicide. Unsupervised chat rooms have already caused serious problems with some children within the Muslim community and they are a growing threat to children because of pedophiles and other child abusers.
Computer addiction is now becoming a recognized health complaint and many young people have to be treated against this addiction that leads to obesity and unsocial habits. For Muslim children, Internet addiction can lead to absence from madrasah classes or sport activities.
Another main source of concern is the influence of violent computer games. Some children can faint or suffer epileptic attacks due to the fast visual activity and flashing lights that appear on a small screen.
The list of concerns arising from excessive use of the Internet is growing, but here are some of the recommendations to Muslim parents with regards to the use of the Internet at home:
Enhance your computer skills. This is essential to properly supervise your children's use of the computer and the Internet. You can attend a night school; most adult teaching centers provide courses to learn the basic computer skills.
Establish rules for yourself and your child on the use of the Internet and other ICT facilities. For example, set the maximum time allowed to sit in front of the screen, whatever the purpose is, whether playing games or doing homework or communicating with friends.
Check chat rooms your child uses and ensure that they are supervised. Deteriorating language is a sign of an unsupervised chat room.
Be aware of the fact that many pedophiles use chat rooms to offer incentives and gifts to children for joining certain activities that may look perfectly innocent.
Never allow children to fill online forms that ask for identifying information (like names, addresses, or telephone numbers) without your knowledge and consent.
Install filter programs like Net Nanny, CyberPatrol, CYBERsitter, or SurfWatch to filter out inappropriate material.
Establish rules for choice of computer programs.
Finally, acquiring knowledge both religious and worldly is a fundamental requirement in Islam. The very first words revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the Qur'an are {Read: In the name of your Lord Who created} (Al-`Alaq 96:1).
The responsibility on Muslim parents, their children, and the Ummah at large is very clear if the Muslim world wants to regain its credible position in the World. May Allah Almighty give us the ability to follow the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and to develop a better understanding of the true message of Islam.
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