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TF ScoutsMuslim Community in Scouting - Etiquettes & GuidanceINTRODUCTION Scouting as such does not teach a religion or attempt to educate children in religious matters; however Scouting activities are used to give young people a moral code based on religious beliefs. Scouts are also encouraged to take part in religious activities; in the case of a Muslim group this will be Islamic traditions.
Muslims are not new to scouting. Scouting started in many Muslim countries in the 1920’s. Currently almost a third of the 28 million Scouts worldwide are Muslim.
OBJECTIVE 1. The objective of this factsheet is to provide general guidance to:
This article covers issues around: - • Dress code,
The values, ethos, educational focus and international scope of the Scouting Movement are all consistent with Muslim teaching. Young people in Scouting are encouraged to respect and love God and other people, and to cultivate a sense of moral responsibility; these are also fundamental principles of Islam.
ISLAMIC OVERVIEW Muslims live according to a religious code of Islamic values which encompasses their culture, morals, family, social relationships, finance, justice, food and dress. It is a complete way of life with an emphasis on what unites people rather than on what divides them. This leads Muslims to view themselves as one nation, regardless of country of birth or national identity. Islam is embraced by over 1.3 billion. This factsheet aims to highlight the major common elements that exist amongst the majority of Muslims, though as in all religions there are some different schools of thought.
Muslims submit themselves to the Islamic faith – a faith that was conveyed by prophets since Adam and finally completed by the last messenger, prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) who lived between 570-632 CE.
Mohammed (peace be upon him) is the last prophet. He was born in Mecca and later lived in Medina where he set up an Islamic State, and on his death was buried there. Through him, Allah revealed His final word, which was collected in the Holy Book, the Qur’an (also written ‘Koran’). Despite his centrality to the Islamic faith, Mohammed is not the founder of the faith, but a prophet (nabi) and a messenger (rasul) of God; it is Allah who is the source of Islam.
Islam has five basic pillars:. 1. Shahadah: to declare the belief that there is only One God, (one Supreme Being) and Mohammad is His servant and final messenger.
Islam is an integral part of daily life; therefore Muslims do not separate the teachings of Islam from their day-to-day activities. The family is a focal point in Islam therefore Islamic guidance helps to keep the family together. The degradation of the family life is a concern for most Muslims living anywhere in the world.
Muslims believe that God has sent His guidance to humankind through the messengers and these have been sent with a number of books: - • Torah – revealed to Moses (peace be upon him)
The Qur’an, which is wholly comprised of Arabic verses, is believed to hold the final and unchanged word of God as revealed to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel. It is handled with reverence and respect and the verses are learnt by heart (many attempt to memorise the entire Qur’an).
As well as undertaking every day’s school work, many Muslim children attend special classes after school. Here they are given religious instruction and learn Arabic so that they can read and study the Qur’an. These classes often require extra homework, so it is important to remember that children often have other obligations before they can attend Scouting activities.
WORSHIP AND PRAYER The place of worship is known as the Mosque (Meeting place) (or Masjid). However any clean place can be used to hold prayers and is regarded as a place of worship. Muslims remove their shoes before entering the prayer area so as to preserve the cleanliness of the area.
Muslims pray five times a day: -
The actual prayer time is flexible within the above. Therefore with some planning, scouting programmes can be adjusted to fit the local prayer times. When travelling special travellers’ prayers are made which are shorter than normal.
Prayer itself consists of reciting verses from the Qur’an, and a number of movements from standing to kneeling to prostrating positions. This procedure reflects that the human being has physical and spiritual dimensions hence the prayer unifies the mind with the body in a form of meditation enabling the person praying to concentrate wholly upon God. It is important that all Scouts are made aware of the importance of prayer and why their Muslim friends may not be able to join in activities during prayer times, so that they respect the time taken for prayer.
Muslims pray towards Mecca in Saudi Arabia. A compass can be used to determine the direction (Qiblah); this is approximately South East in the UK. (This activity could be part of map reading and compass training).
WASHING Before praying, Muslims wash, (the hands, mouth, nose, arms, and feet, and wipe over the head). Provision should be made for Muslims to conduct ablution (wudu).
The Mosque (Masjid) is not just a place of worship. It is a place where Muslims meet together to discuss community matters; where they can carry out individual or communal prayers and meditation; and where children can play and socialise together. The Mosque is the focal point of any Muslim community and provides a wide range of activities.
The person who leads the congregational prayer is called the Imam. Imams are not priests but are specially recognised members of the Muslim community because of their knowledge of the Quran. They look after the religious welfare of their community and tend to the social and domestic needs of individuals. The Imam is an excellent contact to make to encourage young Muslims to become Scouts. They have considerable influence within the local community and will help you; but remember; that they may require details of scouting and how this fits into the Islamic framework. Therefore you may need this factsheet and help from the Muslim Scout Fellowship as well as other information about Scouting to explain both the concept of scouting and the religious policy of the Scout Association.
HOLY DAYS AND FESTIVALS. The Muslim calendar is based on the lunar year, when a new moon appears this denotes a new month. The Islamic year is shorter by about 10 days than the year denoted by the Gregorian calendar, which is based upon the movement of the Earth around the sun. For Leaders it is worthwhile enquiring when the festivals listed below are due to take place to enable you to include some activities for all Scouts in your group and to anticipate the absence of Scouts who are Muslim from meetings.
Jumu’ah: On Fridays there are special congregational prayers that have to be performed in the mosque or in a congregation in any other place. These are conducted just after mid-day and are called Jumu’ah or general assembly.
Ramadhan – The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is a very important time for Muslims as it is the month of fasting.. It was also the month when the revelation of the Quran to Mohammad (peace be upon him) began. Muslims are expected to fast between dawn and sunset throughout the month, i.e. they abstain from eating, drinking and marital relations. Young children below the age of puberty do not have to observe the fast.. Fasting aims to help Muslims be conscious of God and to make them empathise with the suffering of the poor and hungry.
Muslim will need to have finished eating before Fajr (approx 1.5 hours before sunrise); and will need to break their fast at sunset (specific exact times are usually provided). Therefore special consideration will be required during Ramadhan. Leaders need also to bear in mind that because of the Taraweeh prayers, some of their scouts will not be able to attend the evening weekly meeting.
Eid-al-Fitr - marks the sighting of the new moon and the end of Ramadhan. The festival lasts several days and is a time for celebration and parties. Presents are exchanged, new clothes are worn, and people are encouraged to visit friends and relatives to strengthen their family and friendship ties.
Eid-al Adha – is the festival of Sacrifice and begins on the tenth day of the twelve-month of the Islamic year, and lasts 4 days. It celebrates the story of the offer of Ishmael as a sacrifice to God by Abraham.. Muslims are encouraged to donate and give part of their sacrifice to those in need. The festival aims to enables Muslims to sacrifice their desires in obedience to God
Miladan’Nabi - is Prophet Mohammad’s (peace be upon him) birthday. Even though it is not a religiously prescribed festival, some Muslims do celebrate it as an opportunity to remember the life and example of Muhammad, peace be upon him.
PILGRIMAGE All Muslims who are (physically and financially) able are expected to perform Hajj by visiting Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime. Mecca is the place where Abraham with the help of his son Ishmael built the first place of worship to Allah, called the Ka’bah. The Ka’bah is the focal point for Muslims and Muslims around the world face this single point for prayer representing singularity of faith (Oneness of Allah) The Ka’bah is however not an object of worship. All pilgrims are required to wear two white garments throughout the pilgrimage to denote their equality before God
BEHAVIOUR AND VALUES. Muslims Strive to demonstrate a variety of personal qualities, which include: -
• Muslims strive to educate themselves and to work hard as they see this as part of their religious duty to Allah and the Qur’an enjoins this when it says: -
DRESS: - The Islamic dress code for male and female, leaders and young people, should be followed.
The Scouts Association requires that the uniform should be the same within the group, (otherwise it is not “a uniform”) it must be consistent with the Scouting movement (badge layout etc.) and within health & safety guidelines.
The uniform: - The uniform is worn when representing the Scout Group.
The uniform shape for Muslim females has been modified to ensure that the guiding principles of covering oneself without exposing the shape of the body as shown below.
• It is recommended that the headscarf should be tucked into the shirt (especially during activities see below) so that the badges and group neckerchief are visible. Or outside the shirt over the chest, with the group neckerchief on top of the head scarf.
The colour for each section colours and badge layout (Beaver Cub etc.) are as described in the Scouting Association Policy Organisation & Rules (POR).
Activity dress code: - Garments are usually those that suit the individual for comfort, but must be appropriate to the activity so that safety is not compromised. Leaders should always conduct risk assessment for the young and themselves. Leaders should not put themselves or the child at risk. Female members should for example tuck in the headscarf when using an axe so that the axe does not get entangled with the headscarf.
“Young People First”. If articles of clothing need to be removed for any reason this must only be done within the company of a single sex group. If undressing is required then this cannot be done in the presence of others even from the same gender. Muslims must not be naked in the presence of others; therefore towels or separate cubicles should be used for changing or showers even in single gender groups; whether young or leaders. When changing for activities or in camps a separate room, tent or screened area should be used. (Males must also adhere to this principle) Males should keep the area between the navel and the knees covered at all times. Activities that require tight fitting clothes or the removal of the headscarf for female members may only be done in the company of a single sex group. FOOD: -
The Leader for any event should check the food and its preparation and cooking utensils, and follow strict Islamic guidelines, if in doubt seek a second opinion, or resort to eating known Halal food. Alternatively Muslim scouts can eat vegetarian meals or fish or kosher meat. .
Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden and should never be consumed at Scouting activity or meetings.
Muslims cannot handle, consume or sit at the same table where alcohol is being consumed. Therefore others should not take offence when Muslims do not socialise in this manner.
There are conditions regulating the permissibility of music, such as the lyrics, manner of performing, etc. .and scholars differ on these conditions. The children’s songs used in scouting are acceptable but care needs to be taken. However discos are considered to be undesirable because of the environment where alcohol, drugs are consumed and where free mixing occurs.
SEGREGATION (male/female) It is recommended that the male and female young people be segregated at the Scout age 10 1/2 and above as follows: -
The Muslim Scout Promise On my honour*,
The Scout law 1. A Scout is to be trusted,
The Muslim Cub Scout Promise I promise that I will do my best
The Cub Scout Law 1. Cub Scouts always do there best,
The Muslim Beaver Scout Promise I promise to do my best
The Beaver Scout Law 1. There is no formal Beaver Scout Law. The concepts expressed in the Scout Law are to be presented to Beaver Scouts through games, storytelling and other informal activities. Hand-Shaking Baden Powel based the Scouting activities on African local tribes skills and actions. The tribesman held their spear in the right hand, and the shield in the left. In order to show that they trusted the person they were meeting they put down the shield and shook hands with the left hand, while still holding the spear. In order to show trust of a fellow Scout, all Scouts shake hands with the left hand. This is a Scouting tradition.
There is no Islamic reason for not shaking with the left hand, however as with most societies Muslims may prefer to use the right hand for hand shaking. People should not feel offended if a Muslin uses their right hand not the left one.
Many Muslims do not shake hands with the opposite gender. Therefore people should not be offended if a Muslim does not shake hands with the opposite sex because it is not a sign of disrespect.
Muslims will wish to practise their faith whilst at camp and therefore leaders should be sensitive to these needs and try as much as possible to accommodate these needs. It is advisable that you discuss any such needs with the parents or the scouts themselves because this would make the parents and scouts feel comfortable and make them feel that their needs are catered for.
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