New Boy Scout troop serves Islamic youth

The City Paper (Nashville, TN) ^ | June 4, 2002 | Megan Moriarty

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

June 4, 2002

 

New Boy Scout troop serves Islamic youth
By Megan Moriarty
	Boy Scout leader Fadi Ezzeir has organized a new Islamic Boy Scout Troop in hopes of passing on the same opportunities he received as a scout while growing up in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan. He said although the format of the Islamic and American clubs were similar, Jordanian Boy Scouts were able to incorporate their own culture into the program. "I wanted to start a troop in Nashville because I realize what an impact the Boy Scouts had on me," he said. Larry Green, senior district executive of the Boy Scouts Middle Tennessee Council, said the troop is reaching out to a specific group of children who otherwise would not be served. He said very few Islamic children have been involved in Scouting for various reasons. "It doesn't matter if you're Islamic, Israeli, Hispanic or what have you," Green said. "Scouting is offering the same message or program to all groups — regardless." Ezzeir is a board member for the Salahadeen Center, where he also oversees the Youth and Education Committee. Center officials are currently recruiting additional adults in hopes of expanding the scout program. Members of the center have founded a Girl Scout Troop as well. Both groups meet at the same time to better accommodate parents.

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

. . . was just curious to know if any other FReeper had the "...There Goes the Neighborhood..." feeling about this ??

If the line of "...Scouting is offering the same message or program to all groups — regardless..." was actually true - as is claimed - why is a separate group needed ??

[Cindy]

Well let's see, now there's a "a new Islamic Boy Scout Troop" and it makes you wonder what's next? Hmmmm.....

Hindu Scouts, Enviro Scouts, Boys that want to be Girls Scouts, Short Guy Scouts, Special Scouts, Anything but Christian Scouts, Everything-Hyphenated Scouts........

[Andy from Beaverton]

Is he going to help start a Rainbow Boy Scout Troop so we can get the homsexuals to stop bitching about homophobia?

[KirklandJunction]

Seperate for the same reason of Girl and Boy Scouts, different ages, different gender, different locations, etc.

Sea Scouts aren't Air Scouts, etc.

It's called Freedom Of Choice, the freedom to choose those you wish to be with.

Sadly, the usual cockroaches will now show up here to slam anything they don't understand.

[Coleus]

Better that they are in the BSA, hopefully learning traditional American Values, rather that hanging out in their local arab youth center. I did not know there were Muslims in TN.

Oh, and the sponsoring organization does have the option of which boys enroll in their units. There are units of just orthodox jews, mormons, blacks, etc.

As a matter of fact, the Mormons have their OWN Scout Handbook.

[jrewingjr]

They are going to turn it into a muslim Hitler youth. Instead of merit badge sashes they will wear suicide bomber vests.

Their motto:
"Be prepared to kill all infidels."

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

"...muslim Hitler youth..."

WoW - There's an angle that I wasn't expecting !!

[denydenydeny]

I foresee merit badges for Bombmaking, Throat Slicing, Slavery, Stoning, and Martyrdom (awarded posthumously, of course.)

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

"...Is he going to help start a Rainbow Boy Scout Troop..."

R U Kiddin' ?? ??
. . . on the proverbial Buckle of the 'Bible Belt' ??

. . . given enough time, I reckon that all things are possible - -- - just not likely . . .

[luvzhottea]

The Mormon Church also runs a very large Boy Scout organization. Nothing new here. Scouting helps build fine young men.

[Washington_minuteman]

". . . was just curious to know if any other FReeper had the "...There Goes the Neighborhood..." feeling about this ??"

Yup.

I can't see how any Muslum could honor and obey the Scout Law, because that moon-god allah character is not G-d.

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

" Yup "

. . . . whew . . . .

[Cindy]

My husband said that this is not unusual -- that there is a lot of diverse scouting groups. I guess things have changed since I was young (and my husband is 10 years older than I). I must be out of the loop on this issue. So, I'm revising my response to NO OPINION ON THIS ARTICLE.

[dandelion]

Scouting BUMP... I have my father's Boy Scout manual from 1936, and it has a map of the world's scouts - the Middle East included. Scouting encourages the best in boys, and I support it fully for ALL boys.

These boys will learn the true ideals of America: that a real man, a scout, is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. That a real man, on his honor, will do his do his best to do his duty to God and HIS COUNTRY and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight..

Only those who are ignorant of the legacy of Scouting would deride these boys.

[Washington_minuteman]

"That a real man, on his honor, will do his do his best to do his duty to God ..."

See #11 above.

[dandelion]

Already did, I'm responding to that. In my father's 1936 Official Boy Scout Manual, it labels "Hindu Scouts" "Muslim Scouts" "Jewish Scouts", and shows them in their respective uniforms. If it's good enough for Dan Beard, it's good enough for me.

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

"...I'm revising my response ..."

** *** ** *** ** *** ** ***

Would You, by any chance, be a member of the Legislature of the State of Tennessee ?? ??

[healey22]

"It doesn't matter if you're Islamic,

He has to be kidding. I didn't think the boy scouts approved of treating women like second class citizens, doormats, pieces of property or slaves.

[Howlin]

[Cindy]

re#17: Hahahahha..I'm too forthright to be a politician.