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

The internet has experienced a phenomenal growth and now hasabout 2 billion users worldwide. the internet serves both as acommunication medium and as a resource for a wide range ofinformation including those related to religion. it is reported thatthere are about 36 million websites related to major religions ofthe world. this study focuses on young generation of muslims’access and usage of e-religion websites as a phenomenon of digitalinclusion. a total of 392 respondents between the ages of 18-25years old were interviewed in jakarta, indonesia. all respondentshave access to internet either at home, place of work or at theinternet stalls. the results suggest that internet access is high amongthe young generation and 93% admitted to have make attempts tosurfing e-religion websites regularly. the main contributing factorthat encourage young generation of muslims to surf the e-religionwebsites is the technological motivation. religious backgroundas well as psychological motivation and mental motivation arenot good predictors of e-religion usage. those who have accessto e-religion significantly seeks information on various issuesrelated to islam such as those concerning islamic law, pilgrimageto mecca, current issues in islam and muslim world, biographyof prophets and getting advice on marriage and interpretation ofislamic laws.