The time of printed literature and the press is over. I belong to the generation that is used to the world of books, but I see this space is narrowing. For the youngest generation, books and newspapers will be difficult to manage. They type in a search word and the application drops them the appropriate article or the part of it, whatever they want. In regard of information flow this is the future. I’m not speaking about culture, literacy, but information flow. With this in mind, we may not have to complain about the illiteracy of the young generation. As readers, they may have read more than we read, just the reading habits have changed. They are reading from the screen.

There was a social experiment in India some years ago. In the neighborhood of slums, later on at corners of the streets free internet access have been set up. This opportunity attracted masses of children who had to learn writing-reading and the basic applications in order to play. It all came from the applications, without school. At Western universities, compulsory attendance at lectures has been replaced by online training. Anyone who want to attend can do, and the one who does not, can follow the lectures on the net, or even look back and replay the video repeatedly if something was not clear. At the same time this is the exam of the lecturers because their traceability and level of explanation can be controlled.

We do not know how long it will take, but I am convinced, not for years, that anything what does not exist in the virtual space will not exist in the everyday life, too. Not only me, but many other people see that way, therefore there is a competition going on for the occupation of the digital space. I see, that more and more knowledge from all areas is loaded up and PR means are also deployed for gaining more visitors. It is also a goal that Google give our link and references in the first or second position if someone is searching a sort of content what we deal with.

The importance of physical locations is diminishing. Mosques and temples are still important due to the community feeling and subjective experiences, but regarding information and knowledge delivery, the online accesses are more significant. Just one click and the answer you want is there on the screen.

No office needed as well. Under a particular scale one doesn't need a secretary, filing, human resources department, nothing but an online access. There are jobs, livelihoods, research areas that are not bound to physical locations, libraries and wherever we are in the world, the digital space ensures access to them.

We are living in a changed world and the trend of it will be increasingly dominant. Therefore, it is important who is in this space and what proportion of it can be occupied?

I am convinced that this space will create a new society throughout the world. I'm sure this network will help to find each other and build closer cohesion between identities, ethnicities, and religions, but in the long run, I see the dissolution of the above identities as dividing forces, which is fine. We shall realize by the net that there are similar thoughts between different identities, perceptions, and a new lattice structure is emerging that overrides the issue of affiliation. One thing will be important: participating in a shared thinking process where the background of the individual disappears. There is no skin color, no gender, on the net, however the thoughts encounter the other thoughts. If it is competitive and convincing, it will be taken over by others, if it is not convincing it will disappear and the representatives of the tough will retreat into their physical space, where they will become a minor segment. This will be the trend of selection. If we, Muslims, or anyone else, are unable to renew and occupy our position in the cyberspace with intelligent thoughts, we will become waste in the kitchen of the great global thinking. I did not say Islam but Muslims. This is perhaps the last opportunity in history where we can prove what our knowledge, conviction and faith are worth for. It will turn out which directions can strengthen and become convincing, and what thoughts can be recognized and accepted by the world that does not know Islam.

In the new space, there will be no room for flying angels and hoofed devils. We'll leave them for Hollywood. We do not know that our partner is Jewish, Christian, Atheist, Gypsy or Swabian while we exchange messages. Finally, the aspects that are influencing and overwriting an objective opinion if we see eye-to-eye our partner, will disappear. There will be no opportunity for empty slogans, timewasting speeches, nonsense phrases and five-minute-long "keyfel hal" (Arabic: how are you). Either we put the concept in, or "likes" are not coming and we disappear in the world of net. Then you can scold the Jews, America or anyone else, the point is: You haven't changed. Do not pull reality back into the past, but you should integrate yourself to the reality.

Anyone who doubts about the need for change should read the Prophet's (peace upon him) life and observe the great change what he caused by leading his followers, his nation from paganism and anarchy, to faith and orderly life. We are still facing changes in our time. We have a Guidance in our hands, what are we afraid of? It is not the Guidance that needs to change, but ourselves!

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 224, Grade: Sahih