Millions of Muslims visit Mecca each year as part of the Hajj – a pilgrimage to the Islamic holy city that is obligatory for all able-bodied Muslims. But illness and money worries can create insurmountable barriers, so more people are turning to the digital pilgrimage as an accessible alternative.

Ramadan is right around the corner, meaning many Muslims will be adhering to a strict fasting schedule. But it’s also a time for visiting relatives and spending time with family. Daily life follows a different rhythm over this period, and it's reflected in how people behave online.

Whether they’re competing at the Olympics or asserting the case for modesty in Playboy, a growing collective of Muslim fashionistas, feminists, eco-warriors and sisters in sport are challenging old rules. In the first of a two-part report, we examine how influencers are changing the face of Islam.

Studies show that our ability to empathise has greatly diminished over the last 30 years. It’s due in part to the uptake of smartphones and social media – we’re all too busy thinking about ourselves. But while it might be part of the problem, could technology also be used to make us more empathetic?