Abstract
ABSTRACT
Traditional understandings of religious conversion overlook the profound role of digital media, viewing it merely as a tool for information rather than a transformative environment. This study aims to explore how mediatisation shapes the lived experiences of Muslim converts in North Borneo. Utilising an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 participants from Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei. The findings establish a novel "Process-Oriented Mediatisation Framework," revealing that conversion unfolds through six distinct digital stages, ranging from initial sensory encounters online to post-conversion faith stabilization via apps. The study concludes that for these individuals, digital platforms function as a "spiritual environment," providing a private, safe space to deconstruct previous beliefs and construct a new Islamic identity free from immediate social judgment. Ultimately, the path to the mosque nows begins with digital engagement.
Keywords: Mediatisation of Religion, Muslim Converts, media, North Borneo, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)