Thahir Asmal, Radio Islam News – 07-05-2018

Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are what the vast majority of the population, especially in South Africa, have become accustomed to and the best way to get the message to them is through these new forms of technology.

This is according to Radio Islam International social media head Moulana Habib Bobat.

Addressing a Social Media Workshop for Ulama held in Durban over the weekend, Ml Habib stressed that scholars should understand their audiences better and adapt some of the methods they were using to communicate amongst themselves.

“Facebook is the biggest social media platform in the world. WhatsApp is the second biggest, but it is presently the fastest growing medium of all. We need to use it to our benefit.

Ml Habib says Ulama must also consider alternative means to engage  Muslims

“We all know that crowds are dwindling in the massajid, people are getting the message even before they get to us because of this thing called social media.

Ml Bobat believes that using the technology tools available today could have a positive impact in terms of reaching out.

“You are reaching out to people beyond your community, beyond you borders and beyond your culture. It can be a big form of Da’wah. On the other hand we have diverse reach and it makes Ulama more accessible. People can ask questions they may have been shy to have asked before.”

Ml Bobat also allayed fears that many Ulama may be having over the time they need to share a  message through social media saying not much preparation may be required as Islamic scholars can use their lecture material, including sharing a Hadith or verse a day amongst many other Islamic curriculums.

Edited by: Faizel Patel