SMS from Saudi Arabia promoting conversion to Islam

“Call Me to Islam” is an initiative launched in Saudi Arabia by dawah activists to convert non Muslims to Islam via SMS or receive information about Islam , reported Saudi daily Arab News via Asia News.

"Dawah, which literally means ‘summons’, refers to Muslim responsibility to invite others to Islam. Now some activists have decided to go a step further. Anyone interested in learning about Islam can send an SMS to +966-55988899 and leave their names, nationality, language, religion, job and mobile number.

The service started at the beginning of Ramadan and, according to Al-Eiban, receives around 2,000 SMSs every four days. Dawah activists use nine languages to communicate with interested people and have called 1,155 people so far."

Cell Phones, windows to our souls

The Washington Post reports on how media-savvy ministries adapting their message for a new generation of phones, which have memories capable of holding entire books and playing videos and music.

"The result: missionaries in Asia beaming testimonials onto a two-inch screen; a three-day, 100,000-person crusade boiled down to a two-minute video sermon; a Christian punk ring tone."

... Using a phone for spiritual purposes raises unique questions: Is it rude to watch your phone in church-- if that's where you've downloaded your Bible? Can text-message blessings be spiritually enriching? Is therea sense of religious community on a cellular phone?

ellphones actually might be well suited for spiritual communication. Carried everywhere by their owners, they are the most intimate piece of technology many people own. They are emblazoned with personalized "wallpaper," have ring tones meant to advertise their owners' very essence and are loaded with personal information.

These palm-size gadgets "can take on a mystical significance," said James Katz, who studies the cultural and social impact of cellphones at Rutgers University, where he is the director of the Center for Mobile Communication Studies."

... Since launching in September, The MobileWorld has gained thousands of subscribers who can watch on their phones two- to three-minute video sermons by Greg Laurie, pastor at the country's eighth-largest church, Harvest Christian Fellowship, or snippets of Christian comics and hip-hop artists.

Stained glass window from Restoreglass/a>

Entire Bible now available on S.African mobile phones

South African Christians seeking a quick spiritual boost will be able to download the entire bible on to their mobile telephones phones as part of a drive to modernize the scriptures, reports Reuters.

"By sending an SMS, customers of the The Bible Society will get the complete Old and New Testaments as well as a built-in search engine.

Customers can choose between the traditional King James version of the bible or more up-to-date translations. Zulu and Xhosa version will be available soon and other languages will follow."

Cell phones services that are good for the soul

At a time when consumers are being inundated with offers to receive wireless sports updates, interactive games and more, entrepreneurs are catering to customers looking for cellphones and related services that satisfy spiritual, rather than entertainment needs. The WSJ rounds up some of the religious services available for cell phones.

Many more examples in Textually's SMS and Religion category.

Pray as you go to spread the Catholic Word via mobiles

The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland is urging followers to pray, protest and ponder via their mobile phones, reports the Scotsman.

"The nation's 270,000 active Catholics will be offered a new text message service, which will send out everything from church news to requests to pray.

The service will even attempt to mobilise followers by advising them of radio and television talk shows on moral issues, urging them to call in.

The Church will distribute 100,000 flyers over the next month in an effort to get people to sign up for the new service, which will be free to subscribers and operated by IT-savvy volunteers from the Scottish Catholic Church's headquarters in Glasgow.

Those who sign up will deliver news about appointments in the Church and also ask the faithful to pray for leaders and people in distress. According to a spokesman, examples could include subscribers being given the first name of a pregnant woman in two minds about whether to keep a baby or have an abortion, and asked to pray on her behalf.

The service will also alert Scotland's Catholics to opportunities to air their views, such as radio talk shows discussing issues including euthanasia and abortion.

Subscribers will be alerted to radio shows a few minutes before they are broadcast, and told the phone number to call in order to get on air and make their views known. "

Texts 'uplift' Muslim communities

A new mobile phone text messaging service called muslimtext.com, aims to boost the quality of life for Muslims, reports the BBC.

"It sends daily uplifting messages to "spiritually enlighten" its users. Users are able to receive a host of different services, including messages from the Koran, the Muslim holy book, and daily prayers."

Other religions around the world who are using text messaging to spread the good word:

-- Text messages from the Great Synagogue - Sydney's Great Synagogue has become the first Jewish community in the world to send Sabbath greetings via SMS.

-- The Pope used Text Messaging to spread the good word ... the Vatican had a history of embracing new communications media, and cell phones are a natural vehicle for reaching younger believers.

-- Texting faith - New religious text messaging services have been launched in the Philippines.

More in Textually, under SMS and Religion.

SMS campaign against Bush's visit to Hyderabad

In anticipation of President George W. Bush's visit to Hyderabad, India, Muslim religious leaders have formed a committee to coordinate the campaign and use SMS and e-mail services to spread the message that President Bush poses a threat not only to the Muslim world, but also to others who do not like the domination and monopoly of the US. [via Rediff]

Debate of SMS Divorce (still) Rages in Malaysia

Amazing, divorce by SMS is still being debated in Malaysia, according to Islam Online, who writes "several divorce cases have been made through SMS in Malaysia recently". It seems to be admissible if the divorce declared by SMS is verified by the court.

Picture left from the BBC.

Related:

-- Malaysian Senator fined for cell phone divorce

-- Malaysian Muslims and divorcing by SMS in the news again

--Divorce via SMS, face a fine: M'sia

-- Don't give out divorce papers, departments warned

-- Mobile divorce unacceptable, says Malaysia (BBC)

Islamic Scholars' Views on Portraying Mohammed Not Identical

Townhall has a very interesting article on the differing views by Islamic Scholars over the portrayal of Mohammed. Some interpret that even photographs of loved ones are not allowed, and to one Imam, even emoticons, the "smiley-face" icons widely used in email and mobile phone text messaging, are forbidden.

"As protests erupt in the Muslim world over cartoon depictions of Mohammed, various media reports stress that Islam forbids any pictures of its founding prophet. However, it's an issue over which -- like so many others in the religion -- scholars appear to differ.

"Generally speaking," Muslims believe images of Mohammed are unacceptable, "and many would say it is haram.

The same Islamic (shari'a ) law said to outlaw pictures of Mohammed also forbids pictures of any person or even animal -- and there, too, scholars' interpretations vary.

Not only have images of Mohammed appeared in art and literature over the centuries, but even today pictorial interpretations are available in the Islamic world. Many such pictures -- both historical and modern -- have been reproduced on the Internet in recent months, prompted by the cartoon dispute.

... Experts on a website called "Ask the Imam" say the act of keeping photographs of loved ones in an album is also prohibited in Islamic law.

And they go further than that: Even emoticons - the "smiley-face" icons widely used in email and mobile phone text messaging - are forbidden, rules Mufti Ebrahim Desai, a South Africa-based cleric.

Danes apologise for cartoons as embassies burn

European-based Muslims took to the streets in Paris and Brussels on Sunday, organised via SMS messages on mobile phones. EuroNews reports.

"Europe's cartoon crisis with Islam began in Denmark, and on Sunday thousands marched in Copenhagen to say sorry. "They called for peaceful dialogue to end the violence. Denmark's political leaders appealed for calm, and for the leaders in the countries concerned to help them to defuse the situation.

European-based Muslims again made their feelings felt on Sunday. About a thousand marched in Paris, more took to the streets of Brussels and marched to the state broadcasting centre to ensure they made the evening television news. It seemed to be a spontaneous rally of mostly young people, growing from a few dozen around lunchtime to around 4000, organised via SMS messages on mobile phones."

Related: - Danish Embassy in Beirut on Fire

A TelCo ran by nun

Interesting entry from Nicolas Nova on Pasta and Vinegar on how The Vatican's telecom is run by nuns.

"The Telephone Service of the Vatican State is responsible for the study, installation and management of the telecommunications infrastructure of the Vatican. It has been run since 5th July 1948 by devout members of the religious order of the Society of St Paul (la Società S.Paolo), employs over 30 laymen, a few priests and numerous nuns."

It's not surprising, The Vatican has always been heavily involved with new technology, starting with the Internet, to spread the good word and information about the church, powered by three computer servers named after the three archangels: Gabriel, Raphael and Michael.

And the Vatican even nominated a patron saint of the Internet, St Isidore. But no word so far on a patron saint for text messaging.

Malaysian Senator fined for cell phone divorce

Malaysia's Islamic court has fined a senator $ 145 for divorcing his wife through cell phone via SMS and voice mail message, reports The Times of India.

" The senator, Kamaruddin Ambok, 52, who had resorted to the high-tech style of divorcing five years ago, was given a stern lecture on the sanctity of marriage by judge Zainor Hassin, who fined him for the offence."

Picture left from the BBC

According to an article in C/Net Asia last August, "Malaysian authorities overturned Islamic Syariah Court's ruling that allows Muslims to end marriages through mobile text messages. Divorce via impersonal channels like SMS, e-mails, letters, faxes and telephone calls will not be validated by the Muslim court."

Related articles:

-- Malaysian Muslims and divorcing by SMS in the news again

--Divorce via SMS, face a fine: M'sia

-- Don't give out divorce papers, departments warned

-- Mobile divorce unacceptable, says Malaysia (BBC)

Cardinal Warns Against Wireless Christmas Gifts

The Wireless Weblog has picked up on a story in the Salt Lake Tribune, of a leading Catholic cardinal who warning Catholic parents to be careful when buying iPods and other wireless devices as Christmas gifts because they could be used by minors to access pornography.

Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore, co-chairman of the Religious Alliance Against Pornography, said iPods, PDAs and video cell phones can easily send and receive pornography, much of it unsolicited.

Keeler urged bishops to warn pastors and parents that the devices used to download music and movies also make pornographic photos and videos more accessible, and warned of an ''approaching perfect storm'' that will inundate consumers with pornography."

Indian Women unite against Muslim divorce by SMS

Though in Malaysia, authorities overturned Islamic Syariah Court's ruling that allows Muslims to end marriages through mobile text messages since 2003, according to an article in Adnkronos International IOL "divorce among Muslims in India has never been easier thanks to new technology that has enabled men to end their marriages through an SMS or mobile phone text message.

Now a group of Muslim women are up in arms against this method of articulating the "triple talaaq", the formal unilateral declaration, repeated three times, with which men declare their divorce from their wives.

Sources among the Muslim community in Mumbai have said that representatives from "dozens of women’s associations", have decided to organise a three-day convention in Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh, on the problems facing women in the world of Islam, including this new method of divorce. The conference is set to begin on Tuesday.

"Text Mary"

"Text Mary" allows users to send prayers via text messaging, which are then relayed to churches. Priests read the prayers during Mass. [via Asahi Shimbun]

"The service capitalizes on both Filipino's religious ardor and their zeal for text messaging.

About 100 million SMS messages are sent in the Philippines every day-roughly twice the world average.

Since "Text Mary" started in August, about 300 petitions have been sent each day.

... "Text Mary" has won the approval of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines."

Taiwan's mobile phone service finds good fortune in fortune-telling

Fortunes telling messages are transmitted to Taiwan's 23 million mobile phone users on a grand scale with more than 250,000 texts transmitted every month, writes China Post.

Chunghwa Telecom now beams out 100,000 text messages a month covering tarot readings, astrology and its lucky day service, which let's you know if serendipity will strike.

For a standing charge of NT$60 (US$1.80) a month and NT$12 (US$0.36) for each text, the island's mobile phone users can have their fortune told on the way to work, school or before a night out on the town. That compares with NT$4,000 a pop for a visit to a top soothsayer, and even NT$300 for a consultation with a side street crank.

Although the fortune-by-phone concept was introduced four years ago, it failed to expand. Then Chungwha started rolling out its personalised service earlier this year, which requires customers to hand over more detailed information such as the day and time of birth.

It was an instant hit among the younger population, says Laura Pan, of Chungwha's mobile services division. "Customers want to know what their own fortune is much like going to an expert at a temple, not rely on a generic response, which was what most companies provided," she said.

Now, rivals have upped the fortune-telling ante. Far Eastern's I-style "515 Psychic Service," offers fortunes for romance, career, and wealth, as well as dress recommendations for improving your luck, while Taiwan Cellular uses some of the island's most famous astrology and tarot readers.

A survey three years ago estimated the industry was worth NT$5 billion, but that could well have topped 8 billion Taiwan dollars with the advent of mobile-phone astrology, according to industry watchers.

Related:
-- After Phone Sex, China Targets Phone Fortune Telling.

Prayer and fasting times direct to your mobile phone

MyAdhan has launched its prayer and fasting times SMS text message alert service to Muslims in the UK. After signing up to the website and configuring your account, you then start receiving daily text message prayer and fasting time specific to your location.

"Muslims in the UK can also get prayer times by request, without subscription. MyAdhan TEXTback service can be used to receive accurate postcode-specific fasting and prayer times, sent directly to your mobile, when you need it."

[via Arab Mobile Communications via Smart Mobs]

Bible cre8td for a nu wrl: testaments by SMS

The world's most famous book, which has been translated into more languages than any other publication, is now available in the world's most modern form of communication, SMS or text. The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

... "The idea has come from the Bible Society in Australia which translated all 31,173 verses of the Bible into text. They can then be accessed over the internet for free and people can send individual verses to family or friends as SMS or text messages via mobile phone."

For instance:

In da Bginnin God cre8d da heavens & da earth. Da earth waz barren, wit no 4m of life; it waz unda a roaring ocean cuvred wit dRkness. (Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1-2).

Respect ur father & ur mother, & u will live a long time in da l& I am givin u. (Exodus, chapter 20, verse 12).

This is actually not a first, as selected verses of the Bible have been offered by text messaging before

Verifying Halal-status of products via SMS

Muslim consumers can soon verify if certain products sold at shops are "halal" by using their handphones via SMS to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), according to the Malaysian New Straits Times.

"Jakim director-general Datuk Mustafa Abd Rahman said an internationally recognised Global Standard 1 (GS1) bar code system had been developed by Jakim and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers to help consumers.

Consumers can also have access to the department's halal database.

All one has top do is type “HALAL”, followed by the code number of the product and send it to 32728 (DAPAT)."

A "hero or zero' text messaging poll aims to spread the good word about Jesus

Reminiscent of Am I hot or not, a 'hero or zero' text messaging poll, are the latest tools being used by the Churches Advertising Network to spread the good word about Jesus.

The campaign puts images of Jesus as a radical revolutionary at its heart, and will direct people to the website rejesus.co.uk.

Along with the URL, the posters invite people to text "hero" or "zero" to a number to vote on what Jesus means to the world today.

[via Revolution Magazine]

Filipinos pray for love, money via SMS

Prayers for money, jobs and even boyfriends have been flooding a Philippine Catholic Church project allowing Filipinos to send their petitions via text messages from their cellular phones, reports the Taipei Times.

"The petitions sent to the "Text Mary" project are forwarded for inclusion in the intentions of daily Masses held in churches in Manila and in the prayers of Carmelite nuns , the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper reported.

Many texters prayed for jobs and financial assistance with one asking divine intervention to win a lottery jackpot and others seeking God's help to find jobs in Canada, New Zealand or the US. One woman appealed to God to make her boyfriend "keep his promise to marry early next year" while another petitioner asked that her friend find a boyfriend within the year."

World Youth Day - Pope reaches pilgrims by SMS

Germans who can't attend the pope's final mass of the World Youth Day celebrations on Sunday need not despair. A mobile service will relay the papal message to their cell phones, according to Deutsche Welle.

"When Pope Benedict XVI delivers his final mass on Sunday to end the World Youth Day celebrations, it'll be a difficult feat for any of the 800,000 strong crowd of pilgrims expected to get anywhere close to the pontiff. Instead he will come to every single one of them -- provided they have signed up for a text messaging service organized by the German Bishop's Conference and TV broadcaster RTL.

For those who have subscribed, every evening over the past week has seen a short but significant quote taken from a statement made by the pope on that day arrive on their cell phones, said Dietmar Heeg, a Catholic Priest who is in charge of organizing the service on behalf of Germany's Catholic Bishops."

Related: - Ringtone and Logo Specials for World Youth Day

Pullout heats Israeli emotions, tests Palestinian discipline

The Associated Press reports that Israel's 38-year occupation of Gaza should be ending tomorrow, with soldiers knocking on Gaza's Jewish settlers doors ordering them to get out in 48 hours.

... "The settlers, who see the withdrawal as a betrayal of God's biblical promise to the Jews, have turned even closer to religion in recent days. Posters are everywhere declaring there's no one left to rely on but God and Rabbis have been sending out text messages telling settlers which psalms to recite."

And the militant group Hamas came out of hiding Saturday to hold a mass news conference, distributing the phone numbers of 34 multilingual spokesmen in a fight for control of the Gaza Strip ahead of Israel's withdrawal next week, according to another article by the AP.

"Determined to win the airwaves, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday inaugurated a special Gaza-withdrawal media center, complete with live-feed points for TV crews, a 24-hour text messaging service for news updates, maps."

UCB Radio Launches Mobile Phone Christian Ministry

On Sunday 1st May, The United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) - a leading Christian radio in the UK and Europe, launched UCB Mobile, a new mobile Christian ministry. Christian Today reports.

"It's basically a text messaging service designed to guide people in their everyday journey with God. There are four main services, including Prayer Request, Bible Helps, Verse a Day and Bible in a Year.

UCB Mobile will be formally launched at the massive annual Christian concert - Ultimate Event - at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England on 14th May."

Let us go forth,' new pope says in first text message

Pope Benedict XVI sent his first text message to Italian cellphone users -- "Let us go forth in the joy of the risen Lord and trusting in his permanent help," read the message sent to all TIM cellphone users who subscribe to a service of the pope's daily messages, reports the AFP.

"The "thought of the day" service was launched two years ago, bringing messages of the late John Paul II who died April 2.

The service was also used to inform subscribers of John Paul II's death and of Benedict XVI's election Tuesday."

Picture from The Telegraph

New Pope may not be understanding of thumb generation

The Guardian, in a round up of world press coverage on the election of the new Pope, Benedict XVI, quotes Massimo Gramellini, writing in La Stampa.

"He says it was only last night that people finally began to realise that John Paul II had gone for good. He believes Benedict XVI will not appeal to the younger generation as his predecessor did. "Today's young people have an attention span only as long as an SMS or a TV advert," he adds, saying a pope who reads books and listens to the radio will not understand how to deal with a worldwide audience in today's media-hungry society.

Text messages from the Great Synagogue

Sydney's Great Synagogue has become the first Jewish community in the world to send Sabbath greetings via SMS, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

"The historic synagogue's new-generation leader - 39-year-old British-born and Oxford-educated Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence - said hundreds of mobile phone text messages were sent last week with the traditional Sabbath greeting "Shabbat Shalom".

More than 700 messages were sent to members of the 1000-strong congregation, using direct marketing technology and containing details of services and events. Rabbi Lawrence said he believed the Great Synagogue was the first in the world to embrace SMS technology."

Related:

-- Cell phones for the Orthodox - An Israeli cellular phone company came out with a line catering to the fervently Orthodox community. "The “kosher” phone carries a stamp signifying its approval by rabbinical authorities, who will recommend haredi community members to take out contracts with MIRS Communication.

Spiritualist takes up new cellphone haunt

Deepak Chopra, the ubiquitous Indian spirituality promoter, physician and best-selling author, is bringing his seven spiritual laws to cellphones in what's being called a "lifestyle enhancement program", reports the ajc via Hal Bringman for unwired.cc.

"The program offers up "enlightening quotes, inspirational images, success tips and a weekly message from Deepak Chopra," according to the Web site of sponsor Airborne Entertainment."

The service at this point is available only to Verizon Wireless and Sprint users."

Conclave demands strict secrecy

Interesting insight from Associated Press on the ritual-filled process of electing a new pope, in an age of media leaks and cell phones.

"Excommunicatioon, the severest of punishments await anyone who breaks the sacred oath of secrecy during a conclave.

John Paul's guidelines, “Universi Dominici Gregis,” or “Shepherd of the Lord's Whole Flock,” call for a near-monastic existence for the 116 cardinals who will vote in the conclave: no newspapers, magazines, radio or TV. For the duration of the vote, they can't communicate with anyone—in person, by phone or letter -- who hasn't been vetted by the Vatican and taken an oath of secrecy.

But with 3,500 accredited journalists roaming Vatican City and a world desperate to learn of the cardinals' deliberations, many are wondering if news of a new pope will get out before the white smoke leaves the Sistine Chapel's chimney."

Mourners share grief in pope's tech-savvy footsteps

Pope John Paul II was known as a gifted communicator in an electronic age and his followers are making creative use of e-mail, mobile phones and text messages to share their grief. The AFP reports.

-- Italians had already spread a phone text message Saturday afternoon inviting people to gather in Saint Peter's Square to pray for Pope John Paul II while he was still hovering between life and death.

The idea was launched by a radio listener who called into a program on Italy's Radio 24 and urged all listeners to send messages out to their friends to come to the square.

The message quickly spread to other Italian cities: Let's all meet in front of the cathedrals of our cities at 17:30 (1530 GMT), it read. Other text messages circulating urged people to pray for the pope.

- A candle at your window for the pope to illuminate his road to GOD as he has illuminated it for the world for 27 years" said one message, referring to the length of John Paul II's pontificate.

- In Spain, at least 2,000 people flocked to Madrid's Plaza de Colon after the pope's passing when they received the call to prayer via their cellular phones and computers.

- In Zagreb, hundreds of mainly young Croatians used their mobile phones to pass the word of the pope's demise.

- Foreigners in Zagreb also sent texts to communicate with friends abroad."