Fulfilling information needs of new Muslims: trends and challenges

Abstract

The wave of Islamic awareness is sweeping across nations and continents even though there is much sabotage and propaganda against the Faith. Muslims are now excited with this development and have responded with a corresponding rate of information provision, bringing about a proliferation of Islamic information. These information sources produced sometimes may or may not be appropriate for consumption if not addressed according to specific needs. Wilson (2000) observed that systems designers seem to be asking how people are using information instead of seeking to determine what the individual’s or organization’s information needs are. Since the concern of information needs as a discipline is within the field of librarianship he suggested the application of consumer behaviour research, marketing psychology and other disciplines that focus on the user. In line with this focus, the adoption of Wilson’s Information Behaviour Model (1981) would be appropriate in addressing issues of information needs of new Muslims. Information providers and daees would thus need to be concerned with specific needs in the course of preparing, packaging and promoting appropriate Islamic information in the course of da’wah. The objective of this study is to investige the perceived impact of information sources about Islam consulted by new Muslims (converts). In doing so, it must be coupled with an understanding of converts information needs. This study would then be able to see how far the information provided and consulted has fulfilled the consumer’s needs. In realizing an ideal information provision in tandem with current trends librarians must work together with systems personnel as well as Islamic scholars to ensure that information provided is correct, suitable and appealing to new Muslims. This is not a straight forward effort but one that would face a number of challenges. Cooperation and networking efforts amongst relevant organisations and authorities are also important elements in the fruition of this mission