OFFSTONE JAN EDITION 2026

53 ISLAM, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND THE COMMUNICATION OF PEACE IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD By: Dr. Norsimaa Mustaffa, Dr. Kartini Kamaruzzaman, Dr. Safiyyah Ahmad Sabri & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairunneezam Mohd Noor norsimaamustaffa@usim.edu.my The first author is a lecturer in the New Media Communications Programme at the Faculty of Leadership and Management at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). She completed her PhD at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI). Her research interests primarily focus on multimedia design, digital cultural heritage, visual communication, and new media, as well as on areas that intersect with and influence the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage. She also investigates the role of visual communication within digital and multimedia platforms. ABSTRACT In an era of digital hyperconnectivity, global communication increasingly shapes perceptions of Islam and peacebuilding. This article explores how Islamic principles of peace, ethics, and justice can be strategically communicated through digital platforms to foster intercultural understanding. By examining digital media practices, the article highlights Islam’s potential as a constructive force in global peace narratives. Introduction Peace-building in the contemporary world is no longer confined to diplomatic negotiations or grassroots community engagement alone. It is increasingly mediated through digital communication platforms that transcend geographical, cultural, and political boundaries. Social media, digital journalism, and online civic spaces have become influential arenas where narratives about religion, conflict, and coexistence are constructed and contested.