DIGITALIZATION AND TRANSNATIONAL ISLAM: THE CASE OF THE HIZMET MOVEMENT IN FINLAND

Abstrakti

This article explores how digitalization shapes the religious and everyday lives of Muslims in Finland, focusing on the Hizmet Movement. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and literature, I argue that digitalization strengthens the transnational dimensions of religious life by sustaining connections, enabling religious learning, and fostering a sense of belonging across borders. In Finland, digital practices also facilitate psychosocial support and professional skill development, supporting integration. While radical actors can exploit the same technologies, the case of Hizmet Movement shows how organized civic transnational networks strategically use digital tools to rebuild community and resilience in exile.