The Benefits Of Social Media

Islam as a religion is going through the most critical and difficult phase in modern history. Politics, Propaganda, and War worked at striking what the true faith of Muhammad(PBUH) is, which started as early as his death. In the age of information, the younger Muslim generation had many existential unresolved questions, yet they’re pressured to make up their mind, it’s quite confusing having to do so with the dazzling input of politicized religious institutions and radical Islamic Politics. Needless to say, Islamophobia has been only on the rise.

This month, around 14 million people have visited the holy city of Mecca to experience Ramadan. 2 million of them were present on July 13th to spend the day at the Grand Mosque. It’s believed the Holy Quran was revealed on that night which is also called Lailat al-Qadr

In Muslim communities, it’s part of our culture that those who had the opportunity to experience being in Mecca and praying before the focal point of global muslim prayer, the Kaaba, have a higher status. Their stories are entertainment to the hungry souls. It’s a spiritual endeavor that Muslims long to, you can see TV screens blazing with live streams of the Grand Mosque everywhere.

A digital marketer was having his own Ramadani experience and sharing it on Snapchat when he had an idea, to call for Saudi Twitter influencers to campaign to request launching a Snapchat Story about this special night. Snapchat listened, releasing a 6-minute Story on a day in Mecca’s Grand Mosque on July 13th.

The story picked up global attention as a unique, first-of-a-time message from the heart of Muslim world that didn’t involve fanatics, violence or threat. #Mecca_Live alone gathered around 1m tweets, besides the snapchat story viewership. That’s hundreds of millions of impressions, to say the least.

What’s mesmerizing about this story is the genuine spirituality, selflessness and submersion in the epic moment beautifully captured by young men and women in an easy, simple, and internet-oriented format. You’re guided by people from all over the globe through the collective act of peaceful worship while spending an exciting day. 2 million people, one destination, one night, one word: “Allahu Akbar”.

This is the first time in modern history when Muslims allow the world into their sacred city, to get a glimpse of their genuine, pure faith.

From what it seems, this story impacted millions of minds, raising constructive questions and encouraging inter-cultural dialogue that can only move us forward. It sheds a spotlight on how powerful social media can be in opposition to constructed propaganda.!

From Muslims all over the world we say, thank you to SnapChat.!!