FROM MASJID TO MOBILE: MUSLIM WOMEN’S JOURNEYS IN QUR’AN LEARNING ONLINE

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of Muslim women transitioning from face-to-face to online Qur’an study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative narrative-ethnographic approach, five participants shared their journeys of adaptation, challenge, and resilience. Analysis revealed six interconnected themes: Learning Environment, Social Connection, Role of Technology, Language and Literacy, Identity and Spirituality, and Female Representation. Findings highlight that Qur’an education is shaped not only by instructional design and technology but also by social bonds, maternal motivation, and spiritual force. While online learning offered flexibility, it disrupted community and teacher–student bonds, introduced linguistic and technological barriers, and exposed the lack of female representation in digital platforms. Participants strongly favored hybrid models that balance accessibility with embodied presence. This research contributes to digital religion and women’s education literature, offering practical implications for teachers, program leaders, and app developers to design inclusive, relational, and spiritually affirming Qur’an learning.