The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality

This article critically examines the utilization and misuse of internet spaces during Indonesia's political contestations over the past five years, focusing on the emergence of fitna (sedition, strife) in virtual environments. It analyzes how internet users exploit religious symbols to solidif...

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Main Authors: Irwan Abdullah, Hasse Jubba, Saifuddin Zuhri Qudsy, Mustaqim Pabbajah, Zaenuddin Hudi Prasojo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: UTS ePRESS 2024-12-01
Series:Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/mcs/article/view/8962
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author Irwan Abdullah
Hasse Jubba
Saifuddin Zuhri Qudsy
Mustaqim Pabbajah
Zaenuddin Hudi Prasojo
author_facet Irwan Abdullah
Hasse Jubba
Saifuddin Zuhri Qudsy
Mustaqim Pabbajah
Zaenuddin Hudi Prasojo
author_sort Irwan Abdullah
collection DOAJ
description This article critically examines the utilization and misuse of internet spaces during Indonesia's political contestations over the past five years, focusing on the emergence of fitna (sedition, strife) in virtual environments. It analyzes how internet users exploit religious symbols to solidify their positions and contest opposing views, leading to the desacralization of religion. The study elucidates the construction of religious values through communal online communication, the effects of digital interactions on religious practices, and the behavioral codes and value frameworks emerging within these virtual religious spaces. By mapping the multifaceted manifestations of fitna—hoaxes, fake news, insulting memes, videos, and hate speech—the article sheds light on the mechanisms of digital manipulation and their broader implications. This research significantly contributes to the discourse by illuminating the intersections of digital media, religion, and conflict, while proposing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of internet misuse on religious and social harmony.
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series Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal
spelling doaj-art-2adb5fafd4284414bc4872c0922c98ad2024-12-17T05:09:59ZengUTS ePRESSCosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal1837-53912024-12-0116310.5130/ccs.v16.i3.8962The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual realityIrwan Abdullah0Hasse Jubba1Saifuddin Zuhri Qudsy2Mustaqim Pabbajah3Zaenuddin Hudi Prasojo4Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogayakarta, Indonesia.Universitas Muhammadiyah YogyakartaUniversitas Islam Negeri Sunan KalijagaUniversitas Teknologi Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, IndonesiaInstitut Agama Islam Negeri Pontianak This article critically examines the utilization and misuse of internet spaces during Indonesia's political contestations over the past five years, focusing on the emergence of fitna (sedition, strife) in virtual environments. It analyzes how internet users exploit religious symbols to solidify their positions and contest opposing views, leading to the desacralization of religion. The study elucidates the construction of religious values through communal online communication, the effects of digital interactions on religious practices, and the behavioral codes and value frameworks emerging within these virtual religious spaces. By mapping the multifaceted manifestations of fitna—hoaxes, fake news, insulting memes, videos, and hate speech—the article sheds light on the mechanisms of digital manipulation and their broader implications. This research significantly contributes to the discourse by illuminating the intersections of digital media, religion, and conflict, while proposing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of internet misuse on religious and social harmony. https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/mcs/article/view/8962Internet spacesFitnaDesacralizationConflictVirtual realityPolitical contestation
spellingShingle Irwan Abdullah
Hasse Jubba
Saifuddin Zuhri Qudsy
Mustaqim Pabbajah
Zaenuddin Hudi Prasojo
The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality
Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal
Internet spaces
Fitna
Desacralization
Conflict
Virtual reality
Political contestation
title The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality
title_full The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality
title_fullStr The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality
title_full_unstemmed The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality
title_short The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality
title_sort use and abuse of internet spaces fitna desacralization and conflict in indonesia s virtual reality
topic Internet spaces
Fitna
Desacralization
Conflict
Virtual reality
Political contestation
url https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/mcs/article/view/8962
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