SalamWeb

SalamWeb is a Chromium-based browser developed by the Dubai company Salam Web Technologies DMCC.[4] Although intended for general users, it is first and foremost targeted towards the Muslim audience. It observes the Islamic law and tradition and is certified as a Muslim compliant web browser.[5]

SalamWeb
SalamWeb browser on Windows 10
Developer(s)SalamWeb
Initial release17 January 2019 (2019-01-17)
Stable release(s)
; Windows

4.2 (March 6, 2020 (2020-03-06)[1])

iOS

4.2 (March 2, 2020 (2020-03-02)[2])

Android

4.2.0.27 (March 3, 2020 (2020-03-03)[3])

macOS

4.2 (March 6, 2020 (2020-03-06)[2]) [±]

Written inC++, Assembly, Python, JavaScript, Java
EngineChromium open source code
Operating system
Available inEnglish, Bahasa (Malaysian and Indonesian), Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Russian and Turkish.
TypeWeb browser, mobile browser
LicenseFreeware
Websitesalamweb.com

The browser is also the main component of the Muslim-specific digital ecosystem which includes web apps and SalamToday, an online magazine with localized and international editions.[6]

SalamWeb is available for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It supports multiple languages, including English, Bahasa (Malaysian and Indonesian), Urdu, Arabic, Russian, Turkish and Bengali.

Features

Main features

In order to create a Muslim-friendly ecosystem SalamWeb uses SalamProtect, a three-layered system that filters out ‘haram’ - content, products and services which are offensive to Muslims and harmful to children. The system includes the built-in filters, an AI image recognition software and a community-based vetting system where users flag inappropriate content.[7][8][9]

Sadaqah means an act of kindness without expecting anything in return 'fi sabillilah' (for the cause of Allah). SalamSadaqah seeks to engage Muslims in charitable activity and to remind them that the idea of charity is central to Islam.[10][11] SalamSadaqah is also SalamWeb's own commitment to make a donation to a charitable project (in association with Global Sadaqah, a global Islamic charity),[12] each time someone uses SalamWeb.[10] SalamWidgets help Muslims practice Islam while staying in touch with technology and the Internet. These include Prayer Times, which shows the upcoming praying time,[13] Praying Direction Compass, which shows Qibla, that is the direction a Muslim must face when praying,[14] Daily Quotes,[15] Mosques Near Me[16] and others.

SalamWeb is based on the Chromium and retains its functionality. It can use browser extensions developed for Google Chrome.[17]

Languages

The browser is available in English, Bahasa (Malaysian and Indonesian), Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Russian and Turkish.

SalamToday

SalamToday is an online magazine that reports news from around the world and seeks to engage Muslims into a conversation about what it means to be a Muslim in a world dominated by technology.[18]

As of December, 2019, SalamToday is available in English,[19] Bengali[20] and Bahasa Melayu.[21]

Ideas and Cultural Impact

The Muslim world remains divided over the Internet. For some, it is a questionable technology that has been used by child pornographers, money launderers and fraudsters.[22] For others, it is merely an extension of reality and, therefore, ethically neutral.[23] 

SalamWeb sides with those Muslim intellectuals who argue that the Internet should be seen as an instrument of ‘re-actualisation’ of Islam, that is the reinterpretation of Islamic doctrines in such a way that they become more relevant to the modern time.[24] If understood correctly, they say, the Internet can produce a kind of Muslim Renaissance similar in effect to the flowering of Islamic science, culture and the community life during the Abbassid period.[25] To achieve this, SalamWeb seeks to promote the Islamic concept of ijma’, that is building knowledge and understanding through enlightened debate.

Reception

SalamWeb has been certified by Amanie International Shariah Supervisory Board as Muslim compliant and as of December, 2019, it is the only browser that has such certification.[26][27][28][29] It has been endorsed by Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation as compliant with the Islamic Digital Economy Guide (Mi'yar).[30][31][32]

SalamWeb has received positive reviews from the users and technically-advanced critics. According to Bloomberg News, at a time of mounting concerns over privacy, bias and online abuse over the internet there is demand for a browser that is compliant with Islamic values.[33] SalamWeb is gaining popularity as an alternative for Muslims preferring content aligned with Islamic values, Financial Management reports.[34]

According to the Techwire Asia and MyEverydayTech, the browser is mostly effective to contain "haram" content, in other words content that is prohibited or offensive to Muslims.[35][36]

References
  1. "Release 4.2". Salam Web Technologies DMCC. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  2. "SalamWeb: Browser for Muslims". App Store. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  3. "SalamWeb: Browser for Muslims, Prayer Time & Qibla". Google Play Store. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  4. Ho, Yudith. "Halal Internet? Islamic Browser Promises Better Web Experience". Bloomberg (28 January 2019). Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  5. "Halal Internet? Islamic browser promises better Web experience". Straits Times. Bloomberg. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  6. "SalamToday: Muslim fashion, Style news, Beauty and trends". SalamToday: Muslim fashion, Style news, Beauty and trends. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  7. "SalamProtect & Inappropriate content". Salam Web Technologies DMCC. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  8. OutReach, Media. "SalamWeb Technologies MY Introduces World's First Shariah Compliant Internet Suite of Services, Business Insider - Business Insider Malaysia". www.businessinsider.my. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  9. Lim, Balqis (20 February 2019). "Live: A syariah-compliant browser". NST Online. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  10. "Sadaqah". Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  11. "Sadaqah". Salam Web Technologies DMCC. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  12. "Global Sadaqah | Donate Zakat, Sadaqah & Waqf Online". Global Sadaqah. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  13. "Prayer times". Salam Web Technologies DMCC. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  14. "Qibla - direction to Mecca". Salam Web Technologies DMCC. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  15. Lim, Balqis. "This web browser is designed to optimise the Islamic way of life". My Salaam.
  16. "Release 2.0". Salam Web Technologies DMCC. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  17. "Release 4.0". Salam Web Technologies DMCC.
  18. https://today.salamweb.com/about-us/
  19. "Homepage". SalamToday: Muslim fashion, Style news, Beauty and trends.
  20. "Homepage". SalamToday: Muslim fashion, Style news, Beauty and trends.
  21. "SalamToday: Muslim fashion, Style news, Beauty and trends". SalamToday: Muslim fashion, Style news, Beauty and trends.
  22. Wheeler, D. (2002). Islam, Community, and the Internet: New possibilities in the digital age. Interface: The Journal of Education, Community and Values 2(2), p. 11. Available at http://bcis.pacificu.edu/journal/2002/02/islam.php
  23. Ed. Dale F. Eickleman and Jon W. Anderson. New Media in the Muslim World: The Emerging Public Sphere. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999, pp. 45-60. ISBN 978-0253216052
  24. Islam: Essays on Scripture, Thought and Society - A Festschrift in Honour of Anthony H.Johns. Islamic Philosophy, Theology & Science: Texts & Studies. ISBN 978-9004106925.
  25. Göran Larsson. Muslims and the New Media: Historical and Contemporary Debates, p. 151. ISBN 978-1138278899
  26. Ho, Yudith (28 January 2019). "Halal internet? This browser promises to be compliant with Islamic values" – via Business Standard.
  27. Lin, Jessica. "The world's first Shariah-compliant Internet service suite has been launched in Malaysia - along with browser, chat and sadaqah services, Business Insider - Business Insider Malaysia". www.businessinsider.my.
  28. Post, The Jakarta. "Halal internet? Islamic browser promises better web experience". The Jakarta Post.
  29. "New syariah-compliant Web browser launched in Malaysia helps to 'maintain purity' of users". The Straits Times. 20 May 2016.
  30. "SalamWeb aims to promote ethical, Shariah-compliant web browsing". Digital News Asia. 18 January 2019.
  31. Reuters, Thomson. "Dubai company to put up $15 mln to develop 'Shariah-compliant' web browser, other digital products". Salaam Gateway - Global Islamic Economy Gateway.
  32. Lim, Balqis (20 February 2019). "Live: A syariah-compliant browser". NST Online.
  33. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-28/halal-internet-islamic-browser-promises-better-web-experience
  34. "Sizing up the $2 trillion halal market". FM Magazine. 1 August 2019.
  35. "Salam Browser: Putting the world's first 'halal' web browser to the test". Tech Wire Asia. 27 May 2016.
  36. "We Tested SalamWeb – The Halal Web Browser". 18 January 2019.
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