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New Boy Scout troop serves Islamic youth
The City Paper (Nashville, TN) ^
| June 4, 2002
| Megan Moriarty
Posted on 06/03/2002 9:41:43 PM PDT by Alabama_Wild_Man
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June 4, 2002 |
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New Boy Scout troop serves Islamic youth |
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By Megan Moriarty |
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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. |
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TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: boyscouttroop; islamic
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To: Cindy
All boys - and their parents- can benefit from the BSA program. It helps develop character. These young men can become leaders in their community, with positive (American) values.
To: Coleus
Define "rag-tag". If 20 Scouts show up at a meeting, I'll say 17 of them have a Scout shirt and neckerchief/slide on. Maybe 12 have pants/shorts. We do have uniform inspections annually, and Scouts who don't have a uniform and who I do know have one are questioned by both their junior leaders and the adults as to why they don't have it on. I get a lot of, "Mom hasn't washed it yet", to which we reply that we expect them to learn how to use the washing machine. Another revelation.
102
posted on
06/23/2002 2:34:25 PM PDT
by
RonF
To: frodolives
I agree. This is why I would welcome this unit. There's no better way to teach American values to youth than through a BSA unit, especially a Boy Scout Troop.
103
posted on
06/23/2002 2:35:25 PM PDT
by
RonF
To: RonF
rag-tag = motley,
When one dresses like a Scout, one will act like a scout.
I see scouts in the inner city dressed in Class A's and it looks great, they act like scouts.
Seems kids and their parents have no money for unifoms for scouting but have money for Tommy Hilfiger, Fila, Dokkers, Old Navy, etc. They also have money for very-expensive sneakers, 8-ball jackets, goose-down jackets, and the latest Hip Hop attire. When it comes to looking like the people who appear on MTV, the sky is the limit, but when it's time for a Scout Uniform, all of a sudden they have no money, give me a break. They have money for vacations, cell phones, caller ID, cable tv or satellite dishes, jewelry (the latest are these chains they wear around their necks, etc.
When it comes to wearing uniforms for soccer, baseball, school band, etc. they are in compliance, but to wear a scout uniform, they can't. Incidentally by just wearing a shirt is not a uniform, when all the boys are "uniform" then they are in uniform, and when they are all wearing their scout uniforms then and only then are they in "Scout Uniform" a shirt is just a shirt until it is matched with pants, belt, socks, then it's a "Scout" uniform.
I find the better troops wear their class "A" uniforms to meetings and other formal or indoor activities.
104
posted on
06/23/2002 6:29:15 PM PDT
by
Coleus
To: Coleus
When one dresses like a Scout, one will act like a scout.I see scouts in the inner city dressed in Class A's and it looks great, they act like scouts.
I agree. In fact, I think that's one reason why some kids don't like to wear the uniform; they feel their behavior is constrained in them.
Seems kids and their parents have no money for unifoms for scouting but have money for Tommy Hilfiger, Fila, Dokkers, Old Navy, etc.
[snip]
For some kids, I couldn't agree more. I have quite a broad range of incomes in my unit. For some people, the cost of a complete class A uniform is significant. But for others, the situation is as you describe.
Incidentally by just wearing a shirt is not a uniform, when all the boys are "uniform" then they are in uniform, and when they are all wearing their scout uniforms then and only then are they in "Scout Uniform" a shirt is just a shirt until it is matched with pants, belt, socks, then it's a "Scout" uniform.
Even with just the shirt, a much more uniform appearance among the Scouts is promoted than if nothing at all. Understand that I too ask the Scouts to wear the complete class A to all meetings, etc. I ask all the parents every time I see them. I wear it all the time myself, and after a meeting, if I need to go to the store, I don't run home and change first.
In fact, a couple times in the local grocery store, in civvies, I have had the experience of saying hello to a Scout parent, getting no response in return, and then a couple of seconds later a look of recognition, along with "Oh! I didn't recognize you at first without your uniform on."
I find the better troops wear their class "A" uniforms to meetings and other formal or indoor activities.
I'm doing the best I can.
105
posted on
06/24/2002 7:20:53 AM PDT
by
RonF
To: RonF
Yep, maybe you ought to try a point system and include uniforming as one of the items for points, those who attain a certain amount of points at the end of the year gets a prize, money for summer camp, etc. I used that type of system where the scouts would accumulate points for attendance at:meetings,camping trips, service projects, etc, dues, advancement, uniforming, and it seemed to work.
106
posted on
06/28/2002 1:33:33 PM PDT
by
Coleus
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