Embracing the Metaverse: The Future of Islamic Teaching and Learning

Abstract

The paper discusses the possibilities for developing open access Islamic education Metaverse platforms. Teaching Islam through multi-participant immersive platforms would enhance pedagogical practices and allow for globalized and de-centralized interactions within and among different Muslim communities around the world. The study contemplates the practical, educational, and theological aspects of using Lifelogging, Immersive Virtual Reality and Mirror Worlds in order to create Metaverse spaces that would enable students of Islam, as well as devotees in general, to learn and practice the main teachings of Islam. The paper also discusses questions regarding the possibility of accurately translating Islamic orthopraxies from a physical to a virtual reality and some of the key challenges that such a translation/transition may pose.