Boy Scouts of America
Scouting in the Islamic Community
www.scouting.org (search :
Islamic)
Background
Scouting serves an important role in the Islamic community. Cub
Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and
Venturing crews operated by Islamic organizations can be found in
major cities throughout the United States.
In
1982, the National Islamic Committee on Scouting (NICS) was formed
by a group of concerned Muslims
who
represented many national Muslim organizations. Primarily, the NICS
is responsible for formulating
policies that govern the formation of Scouting in Islamic
organizations and for guiding their cooperation
with
the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The NICS also
establishes policies affecting the
participation of Muslim men and women in Scouting through Islamic
centers and mosques and advises
the BSA
National Council in all matters relating to Scouting among Muslims.
Religious Emblems
The
NICS also promotes the BSA religious emblems program. This program
provides guidance to Muslim
youth
in achieving the spiritual pledges made in the Scout Oath and Law.
-
Bismillah. The Bismillah
program encourages Muslim Cub Scouts to advance in the
knowledgeand practice of Islamic living.
-
In the Name of God. This
program helps Muslim Scouts fulfill the first part of the Scout
Promise: "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to
Allah." As the Scout grows in the program, he become active in
four areas of study and experience: Islamic faith, practice,
brotherhood, and service.
-
Allahu Akbar (God Is Great).
The National Islamic Committee on Scouting established this
program to recognize outstanding service by adults in the
promotion of Scouting among Muslim youth.
Leadership
Unit
leaders are chosen by the Muslim organization that organizes the
unit. The local council assists
the
Muslim organization in re-cruiting and training the leadership.
Islamic Terms
There are several Islamic terms with
which Scout officials should be familiar.
-
Islam. The Arabic word
Islam means the voluntary acceptance of the will of Allah
and obedienceto His commands.
-
Muslim. A person who freely
and consciously accepts the Islamic way of life, and practices
it, iscalled a Muslim.
-
Qur'an. The Qur'an is the
sacred book of Islam. Muslims usually learn to read it in
Arabic, and many memorize it in its entirety. They are expected
to understand its meaning and practice its teachings. Many
Muslim Scouts study with religious teachers at obligatory
training sessions at the mosque (a Muslim house of worship)
until about age 12.
Basic Beliefs
The five fundamental Islamic beliefs are
Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), Risalah (Prophethood),
Yaum al-Akhira wa Ma'ad (Day of Judgment and Life After Death),
Ghaib (Angels and the Unseen), and Kutub (All the
Books From Allah).
Foundations of Faith
There are five pillars of Islam (or
foundations of faith).
-
A Muslim boy of Boy Scout age must
offer prayers five times a day.
-
The Muslim Boy Scout will need to
fast the whole month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset (no food or
drink), age depending and parent approval.
-
The other pillars of the faith are
giving to the needy, openly declaring faith in Allah(swt) and
Muhammad as His last messenger, and making a pilgrimage at least
once during one's lifetime to the first House of God in Mecca.
Diet
Muslims are permitted only halal
foods (i.e., foods that have been prepared according to Muslim law).
Some Muslim youth will eat beef, lamb, and chicken only if they have
been slaughtered in the Islamic manner (Zabiha). Pork is
forbidden to Muslims, but fish is acceptable.
Festivals
Leaders should allow the Scout
appropriate time off from usual activities for special religious
festivals. The leaders are encouraged to find out from the boy's
family when these festivals occur and note the obligations.
Support
The Islamic Society of North America
supports the use of Scouting and is represented on the National
Religious Relationships Committee.
