THE DYNAMICS OF THE SAUDI TWITTERVERSE

This chapter focuses on how Twitter has markedly impacted the religious life of many Saudis, including their religiosity, religious practices, issuing fatwas and building virtual communities. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. It is especially popular among young people who are connected to social media platforms. The popularity of social media platforms in the Arab world will likely have an impact on the way Muslims understand and practise their religion. In the Saudi Twitterverse, religious issues get the most attention, generating high traffic, because religious leaders prove very prolific. The relationship on Twitter is based on two poles: users and followers. This relationship model allows followers to identify with their followees and generate a collective emotion and connection that transcends the digital network. In the Saudi context, religious leaders use their traditional knowledge of the Quran and Hadith as a way to assert their cultural capital and religious legitimacy.