With the grant, Raoof conducted research on “Media and Religion in Contemporary Kashmir: A Case Study of Anantnag and Srinagar” at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

His recent article, “New Media Practices and Religious Change in Kashmir, India,” was published in the Religious Expression on Social Media section of Oxford Intersections, Oxford University Press. He has taught at the University of Delhi, Jain University
and Alliance University, and is now teaching at MICA, Ahmedabad.

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What sparked your interest in media studies?

I initially opted for media studies with the aim of becoming a journalist. However, during my time at the University of Hyderabad, I realised that media studies is far broader than journalism; it encompasses production, distribution, and consumption of messages across multiple forms. The field is uniquely interdisciplinary, drawing from psychology, sociology, history, economics, and philosophy. Over time, I began to see it not just as a career pathway but as a lens to understand society, culture, and technology in their entanglement. Graduates of media studies can work as journalists, filmmakers, scriptwriters, advertising and public relations professionals, content creators, researchers, or media strategists, roles that together reflect the vastness and flexibility of the discipline.

Could you tell us a bit about the work you do?

My work lies at the intersection of media, religion, and technology, with a particular focus on how communication systems shape cultural and political life. Trained in media studies with an interdisciplinary grounding in sociology, history, and anthropology, I have examined how technologies from print to digital media mediate religious authority, social change, and everyday practices in contexts like Kashmir.

Alongside research, my academic practice has been deeply engaged with pedagogy. I have taught at the University of Delhi, Jain University, Alliance University, and now at MICA, Ahmedabad, where I mentor students in courses on documentary filmmaking, media theory, corporate communications, digital cultures, and the politics of communication. 

What were some of the interesting findings in your recently published article on new media practices in Kashmir?

My recent work examines how digital media reshapes religious life in Kashmir. Historically, every major technology, print, radio, and television, has influenced how religion is practised and organised. With digital media, I found not only changes in how individuals practice their faith but also the emergence of entirely new religious organisations that exist primarily because of their media presence. My current research builds on this trajectory, looking at how artificial intelligence intersects with faith and religious authority.

How would you define the nature of the current media landscape and how do you think the larger public negotiates this landscape?

Media today is not just a tool but part of our psychological and social fabric. We are simultaneously producers, distributors, and consumers of content. The landscape is fragmented: different generations, communities, and publics engage with media in very distinct ways. While the media sometimes exercises overwhelming influence, at other times, audiences shape content and narratives in powerful ways. This negotiation is constant and multi-layered, shaped by technology, culture, and identity.

What ideas and themes would you like to explore going forward?

I am now exploring the intersections of AI and religion. The integration of AI into religious life, whether through robotic monks, virtual pilgrimage guides, or AI-based Quranic recitation systems, raises profound questions about ethics, authority, and spirituality. In the context of Islam, I am particularly interested in how Muslim scholars and preachers are responding to these developments. My goal is to understand how AI challenges or reinforces traditional religious roles, ethical frameworks, and community practices in the digital age.