Gen Z Muslims: New Media, New Values?
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT
Location:
Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Hall Arruppe Multipurpose Room Map
Many studies of Muslims in Western contexts emphasize negative themes such as extremism, political violence, or Islamophobia. In contrast, Dan Nilsson DeHanas’ new research on young Muslims on university campuses focuses on joy, motivation, spiritual meaning, and stories of success.
Generation Z (born approximately 1997 to 2012 and currently in their teens or twenties) are the first generation born into a world with the internet. Muslims in this generation—like other young people—typically spend much of each day on their smartphones. The smartphone gives young Muslims access to a vast range of influencers and content producers. Does the wide reach of internet resources and discussions on university campuses lead Gen Z Muslims to evolve more liberal values on themes such as LGBTQ+ individuals and minority religions? Or do they instead bolster themselves with strict, conservative Islamic values? The event will have relevance for researchers and students of religion, members of faith communities, and anyone who wants to consider how to better engage with social media and politically-salient discussions on university campuses.
This event will feature Daniel DeHanas, associate professor of politics and religion at King’s College London. Berkley Center Senior Fellow Judd Birdsall will moderate the discussion.
This event is co-sponsored by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs and the Georgetown department of Theology and Religious Studies
