About .shia domain
.shia is a proposed community generic top-level domain (gTLD) that has not been delegated. The applicant is Asia Green IT System Bilgisayar San. ve Tic. Ltd. Sti. As a community application, it is intended to serve a specific religious and cultural group, with registration eligibility tied to a declaration of faith. The application faced a formal objection from Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission.
Who can register .shia domain
Registration for a .shia domain name would require the registrant to be part of the Islamic Religious and Cultural Community. According to the applicant's Public Interest Commitment, the registry will do its utmost to limit registrations to those of Muslim faith or those with a clear interest in serving the Muslim community beneficially. To register, a person must electronically accept that they have pronounced the Shahadah, the Islamic declaration of faith.
How to register .shia domain
As .shia is a proposed and non-delegated gTLD, it is not currently available for registration through any commercial process. If the application were to succeed, domains would be allocated according to the registry's community-based policies. The allocation process would likely involve verification of the registrant's declared affiliation with the community. The final structure for obtaining a domain would be determined by the registry operator upon delegation.
Typical uses of .shia domain
If delegated, the .shia extension would be used primarily by individuals, organizations, and entities affiliated with the Shia Muslim community. It would provide a dedicated namespace for religious content, community forums, educational resources, and cultural initiatives related to Shia Islam. Registrants would choose this TLD to clearly signal their affiliation and to operate within a trusted, community-defined space, distinguishing their online presence from generic or commercial domains.
Tips for registering .shia domain
- Registration would require an electronic declaration of the Shahadah, affirming the registrant's faith.
- The registry's Public Interest Commitment outlines policies to prevent content that criticizes Islam or promotes radical activity, with a blacklist to pre-empt abuse.
- The registry commits to verifying WHOIS data to ensure it is authentic and publicly accessible.
- The applicant states it will take immediate and severe action against registrants involved in illegitimate activities like terrorism or piracy.
Frequently asked questions about .shia domain
Who operates .shia domain?
The registry for .shia domains is Emergency Back-End Registry Operator Program - ICANN.
Who can register a .shia domain?
The applicant's stated policy is to limit registrations to those of the Muslim faith or those with a clear interest in serving the Muslim community. During registration, an individual must electronically accept that they have pronounced the Shahadah, the Islamic testimony of faith. This serves as a self-declaration of affiliation with the community, though the registry may implement further verification measures to uphold this commitment.
Can I transfer a .shia domain between registrars?
As the TLD is not yet delegated, specific transfer policies between registrars are not established. Should it become operational, transfer rules would be defined by the registry operator and must comply with ICANN's transfer policies. Given the community-based nature of the TLD, any transfer would likely require the gaining registrant to also meet the same eligibility criteria, including the declaration of faith, to maintain the integrity of the namespace.
What is a Public Interest Commitment (PIC) and how does it apply to .shia?
A Public Interest Commitment is a set of binding obligations a registry operator agrees to uphold, enforceable through ICANN compliance procedures. For .shia, the applicant's PIC includes commitments to verify WHOIS data, limit registrations to the Muslim community, and not tolerate content that criticizes Islam or promotes illegal activities like terrorism. These commitments shape the TLD's operational rules and content policies.
What happens if a .shia registrant violates the content policies?
The registry's PIC states it will take "immediate and severe action" against registrants promulgating prohibited content, such as radical material or criticism of Islam. The registry plans to create a blacklist to pre-empt abuse and will fully cooperate with relevant authorities. Specific consequences could include domain suspension or termination, but the exact procedures would be detailed in the registry's acceptable use policy upon delegation.
Was there any opposition to the .shia application?
Yes, Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission filed a formal objection against the TLD application. This objection was part of a broader set of objections filed by the CITC against several proposed TLDs it deemed sensitive. The objection process is a formal part of ICANN's New gTLD Program evaluation, where applications can be challenged on various grounds, including community harm.