Between Clicks and Clerics How Young Western Muslims Seek Religious Knowledge in the Digital Age

This book explores the lived experiences of young Muslims in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States as they seek religious guidance in an increasingly digital world. Based on extensive qualitative research—including interviews with 122 young Muslims—it examines how faith, identity, and knowledge come together in modern society.

In doing so, the book looks at the role of imams in diaspora communities, the trust (or skepticism) placed in online religious sources, and the influence of family, friends, and digital religious figures. Between Clicks and Clerics captures the shifts in religious learning as young Muslims turn to both traditional and digital sources.

Through firsthand narratives, this book highlights the voices of young Muslims as they work through questions of authenticity, authority, and independence in their spiritual journeys. It shows how they balance tradition with modern life, skepticism with belief, and personal choice with community expectations. As religious authority spreads beyond traditional figures, this book examines how Islamic knowledge is changing in the Anglosphere and what it means for the future.

Chapter 1 Introduction.- Chapter 2 Imams.- Chapter 3 Internet.- Chapter 4 Friends, Family, Teachers.- Chapter 5 Conclusion.

Ihsan Yilmaz is a Chair in Islamic Studies and Research Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Deakin University’s Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADI). He previously held positions at the Universities of Oxford and London, leading multi-site international research projects. At Deakin, his research has secured funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC), the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Victorian Government, and the Gerda Henkel Foundation.