Paper short abstract:

Understudied feeling of uncertainty is a prominent aspect of everyday Muslim experience. Using BDS campaign as my case in point, I argue that the feeling is expressed through not only the proliferation of new Muslim media, but also the understanding of what Islam is and who speaks on its behalf.

Paper long abstract:

This is a study of religious experience in the global age. It argues that Islam, while offering an emotional bond that links local Muslim communities around the world to an "imagined Ummah", has been increasingly rethought of, redressed and reformed in the global age.

Media and information technologies (IT) have played an important role in the creation of new public spheres in which multiple forms of authority and "authentic" Islam can emerge; ready to articulate their specific visions, interests and concerns. The proliferation of new Muslim media and the changing Muslim understandings of what Islam is and who holds the ability to speak on its behalf are both indicators of anxiety and ambiguity of present-day Muslim experience. Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) campaign is my point of entry into this understudied feeling of uncertainty, a prominent aspect of Muslim experience.