Paper short abstract:

In this presentation I tackle religious authorities' views on digitalizing holy space in Shiite Islam in terms of exploring religious "norm" and practice among contemporary Muslims.

Paper long abstract:

Visiting holy shrine, called ziyarat in Persian, of their holy religious leaders and the relatives has been one of great important religious practice among Twelver Shiite Muslims and has been encouraged by development of new transportation tools. Although visiting holy shrine has been historically important religious practice among Shi'a, it has not been always easy to do such religious practice in terms of various points including political situation, financial situation and so on. Thus there have been alternative practice and media to access to holy shrines through their history.

In recent years, major holy shrines, usually shrines of Imams in Iraq and Iran, have own website including live camera. In addition, website of holy shrine of Imam Rida in northeast Iran achieved to create virtual visiting environment. Such digitalizing holy spaces not only make easy laymen to access holy shrine, but also seem to make new religious experiments as if they really visit holy shrine.

However it is unclear whether digitalizing holy spaces and such religious experiment are permitted under Islamic law. This matter is quite important for understanding religious practice in terms of Islamic discursive tradition. Especially, there has been religious "followed-following " relationship between higher jurisprudence authority and non-religious professionals in Twelver Shiite community since late 18th century.

Thus in this presentation I tackle with religious authorities' views on digitalizing holy space in Shiite Islam in terms of exploring religious "norm" and practice among contemporary Muslims.