Social networking, Muslim-style
Islam-oriented SalamWorld site aims to bridge gap between Muslim youths worldwide
The Muslim world is to receive its very own social networking site this summer – SalamWorld, a cleaner, Islam-centered alternative to Facebook.
"Some 300 million Muslims use the internet, and about half use social networks," said Yavuz Selim Kurt, a spokesperson for SalamWorld. "Unfortunately, none are managed by Muslims."
Users should not expect Facebook's permissive policies; the site is to be screened for pornographic material and incitement to terrorism, but also for any content that is "haram" – that is, forbidden by Islam. The nature of this "harmful" content is yet to be clearly defined.
According to Kurt, the site is geared towards young Muslims "oriented towards Islamic values," as well as non-Muslims who are interested in the religion. The social network is to offer a service called "Ask Imam," an online counseling provided by "recognized" Muslim scholars.
SalamWorld, which is based in Istanbul, aims to bridge between young Muslims worldwide and to modernize the concept of the Ummah – a global Muslim community.
The site will initially offer service in English, Arabic and Turkish, and intends to add several other languages in the future. Its management aspires to register as many as 50 million users within three years, according to the site's brochure. Operations are to be launched during Ramadan in July.
