Authors
• Haruna Ismail, Ph.D,hismail.mac@buk.edu.ng,Department of Mass Communication Bayero University, Kano
•
Abstract
This paper examines the use of social networking platforms by Islamic religious groups in Kano, Nigeria, with a focus on how digital media are utilized to propagate religious activities and messages. Situated within the broader context of the rapid expansion of social media technologies, the study explores how faith-based organizations appropriate these platforms as tools for communication and community engagement. The study specifically investigates the platforms used, target audiences, dominant message themes, communicative elements (text, audio, and video), and the challenges associated with social media use. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study employs in-depth interviews with selected members and leaders of three religious Islamic groups—Jama'atu Izalatil Bid'ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (Izala), Tijjaniyya, and Qadiriyya. The findings reveal significant variations in the patterns of social media engagement among the groups. Izala demonstrates a highly structured and institutionalized approach, characterized by coordinated media committees and a strong presence across multiple platforms. In contrast, the Tijjaniyya and Qadiriyya exhibit more decentralised and informal patterns of engagement, relying heavily on WhatsApp and Facebook, and driven largely by individual clerics and local networks. The study further finds that while Izala’s content emphasises reformist and doctrinal themes, the Sufi-oriented groups focus more on spirituality, devotion, and community cohesion. Despite differences in structure and strategy, all groups face common challenges, including technological limitations, resource constraints, and the need to adapt traditional modes of religious communication to the dynamics of digital media. The paper concludes that social media has become an essential medium for religious propagation in Kano, with distinct patterns of use shaped by doctrinal orientations and organizational structures.
Keywords
Social media; Religious communication
Islamic groups in Kano
Digital media and religion
