The "Authentic Islam" on the Internet: The Official Websites of the Ministries of Religious Affairs in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.

This article examines the official websites of the Ministries of Religious Affairs in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, focusing on how these Maghreb states use digital platforms to assert state control over Islam and promote a moderate, nationally framed version of the religion. Each government employs its website to disseminate approved religious doctrine, counteract radicalism, and reinforce national identity by regulating religious practices, issuing official fatāwā (legal opinions), and providing educational resources aligned with state-sanctioned Islam. While Algeria’s site emphasizes state unity and moderation rooted in the 1954 independence struggle, Morocco’s platform highlights the religious authority of the monarchy and integrates traditional Islamic schools with modern educational efforts, including literacy programs. Tunisia’s website, by contrast, appears less developed and updated, reflecting broader institutional challenges, though it similarly aims to promote a moderate Islam consistent with national cultural identity. Overall, these websites serve as extensions of governmental authority, balancing conservative religious values with new technologies to manage religious discourse and maintain political legitimacy.