IslamiCity: Towards a Sound IslamiCity: Towards a Sound Presence in Mass Presence in Mass CommunicationCommunication

By

HADI Information Services

Islamic Information NetworkIslamic Information NetworkA HADI Project

Human Assistance & Development InternationalE-Mail: hadi@Islam.org

MISIC ‘9814 Dhu Al-Hajja 1418

11 April 1998

IntroductionIntroduction

In 1991 HADI was incorporated in the state of California as a tax-exempt nonprofit public benefit organization.

The charter is to work in the field of self sustaining socio-economic, education and technology development for people world wide.

Some of HADI’s ProjectsSome of HADI’s Projects

Agricultural Development: Sudan and Lebanon

Computer Training Centers: Albania, Bosnia, and Croatia

Islamic Information Network (IIN)

Mass Media Development TimelineMass Media Development Timeline& Muslim use of Mass Media& Muslim use of Mass Media

1400 1800 1900

18741st

PrintedQuran

Printing Press1438

1945~MuslimRadioUsage

1965~Muslim

TVUsage

Web1994

1995WWW

Islam.org

Television1926

- 430 Yrs

Radio1898

- 47~

- 39~

Use of Various Technologies in USAUse of Various Technologies in USAP

ercentag

e of O

wn

ership

Percen

tage o

f Ow

nersh

ip

100100

9090

8080

7070

6060

5050

4040

3030

2020

1010

00

100100

9090

8080

7070

6060

5050

4040

3030

2020

1010

0010010090908080707060605050404030302020101011 110110 120120

ElectricityElectricity(1873)(1873)

TelephoneTelephone(1876)(1876)

AutomobileAutomobile(1886)(1886)

TelevisionTelevision(1926)(1926)

RadioRadio(1898)(1898)

Cell Cell PhonePhone(1983) (1983)

PCPC(1975) (1975)

InternetInternet(1975)(1975)

Microsoft Data

Mass Media on WWWMass Media on WWW

The most far reaching mass media to come about Combines the potential of print, radio and

television in one source Declining cost of using mass media through

WWW Empowerment of people through Information

Future with WWWFuture with WWW

In 10 years people ask what is a TV Like cellular phone providers, ISP’s will

give away PC’s Bandwidth limitation will be solved like the

conventional memory limitation was solved Radio, TV and Film will evolve into a

cottage industry

IIN MissionIIN Mission

Our mission is to use new and emerging information communication technologies to provide comprehensive religious, socio-economic and educational information about Islam and Muslims to a worldwide audience.

IIN GoalsIIN Goals

Promote Islam and its values in a positive manner to Muslims and non-Muslims

Provide community information services that enhances understanding and communications, both internal and external, about Islam and Muslims

IIN ObjectivesIIN Objectives Promote dissemination of Islamic information

through investment in information technology (hardware, software, communications, etc..)

Develop multimedia Islamic Content Provide a meta-index of Islamic/Muslim

information on the WWW

Average Monthly Hits To Average Monthly Hits To IslamiCityIslamiCity

1500 1050030000

75000

150000

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

Dec. 95 Dec. 96 Dec. 97 Apr. 98 Dec. 98

Hits

www.IslamiCity.orgwww.IslamiCity.orgHighlightsHighlights

Islam.orgIslam.org - Islamic.org - Allah.org First Islamic site to provide RealAudio channels:

Entire recitation of Quran Several “channels” for Islamic Education Children’s Programs, etc..

First Islamic web site to develop Islamic RealVideo content

www.IslamiCity.orgwww.IslamiCity.orgHighlightsHighlights

Ask the Imam - On-line Q & A service Chat Room and Discussion Center with

more then 6000 registered users Interactive children’s corner

Feed Back on IslamiCityFeed Back on IslamiCity

Abstract from ABCNews article - I Way to Heaven:

IslamiCity goes further, with a chat room connecting Muslims worldwide, along with streaming audio versions of Radio Islam and an online prayer area. IslamiCity visitors can also have their questions on Islam answered in the “Ask the Imam” section. Muhammad Musri, one of the clerics who receives these e-mailed queries, says his site has grown so popular—100 messages a week—that he’s asked to hire three or four more people to ease the load. “I think it’s one fantastic way to connect people, to answer questions, to get people more informed,” Musri says. “We try to show through (the site) the different dimensions within Islam.”

Feed Back on IslamiCityFeed Back on IslamiCity

Abstract from Time Magazine article:

IslamiCity in Cyberspace offers a high-tech Muslim mall for followers and for those curious about the faith. Presented by the Islamic Information Network, the site provides religious and historical resources, as well as opportunities for viewer interaction. Visitors can read about Islam's origins, review a graphical representation of the Hajj, compute prayer time schedules, or ask an Imam questions via email. Five RealAudio channels of Radio Al-Islam offer programs such as Quranic Recitation or Islamic Teaching, while the Marketplace allows visitors to post anything from employment opportunities to Muslim conferences. For the uninitiated, IslamiCity offers a primer on the Muslim faith, answering FAQ's such as "What do Muslims think about Jesus?" or "Why does Islam often seem strange?"

Feed Back on IslamiCityFeed Back on IslamiCityMenghsin C. Horng Kalamazoo / USA 2/17/98

I'm just beginning a semester-long in-depth study of Islam for my Independent Study through my high school . The search will be tedious. There's an immense amount of information and history out there. This is one of my first online contacts.

Amir Stuart Brooks Cardiff / UK 2/4/98

IslamiCity has been a great help to this (relatively) new convert. May it grow and be forever successful in showing the true face of Islam.

Mawaddah Wong Abdullah Kajang,Selangor 2/3/98

Assalammualaikum w.b.t, I am a Chinese convert to ISLAM since March'1988. I am glad to be one of the guest in IslamiCity and hope to gain more knowledge and guidance from this useful and educational website which I have been waiting for. I really hope to know more brothers and sisters from all over the world especially the Muslim converts like me. Wasallam

Call to ActionCall to Action

While Islamic grass roots efforts in web development address specific needs, optimum benefit will be derived from coordinated, goal oriented implementation

WWW will remove many of the intra-community obstacles to collaboration

A copy of the full paper and this *.ppt presentation is available at http://islam.org/misic98

Areas where you can help: Technical Expertise: Dynamic HTML, ASP, Etc. Islamic Web Content Building of Internet Infrastructure

Islamic Information Network

http://Islam.org

IslamiCity