DIGITAL INCLUSION: ACCESS AND USAGE OF E-RELIGION AMONG MUSLIM YOUTHS

The internet has experienced a phenomenal growth and now has about 2 billion users worldwide. The internet serves both as a communication medium and as a resource for a wide range of information including those related to religion. It is reported that there are about 36 million websites related to major religions of the world. This study focuses on young generation of Muslims’ access and usage of e-religion websites as a phenomenon of digital inclusion. A total of 392 respondents between the ages of 18-25 years old were interviewed in Jakarta, Indonesia. All respondents have access to internet either at home, place of work or at the internet stalls. The results suggest that internet access is high among the young generation and 93% admitted to have make attempts to surfing e-religion websites regularly. The main contributing factor that encourage young generation of Muslims to surf the e-religion websites is the technological motivation. Religious background as well as psychological motivation and mental motivation are not good predictors of e-religion usage. Those who have access to e-religion significantly seeks information on various issues related to Islam such as those concerning Islamic law, pilgrimage to Mecca, current issues in Islam and Muslim world, biography of prophets and getting advice on marriage and interpretation of Islamic laws.