What’s different about Muslims in Scouting?

Well nothing really!

We still do the same Scouting activities as everyone else, and still follow the Scout promise and the Scout Law, but we need a few extra provisions. Simple things like a few moments to pray during the day, segregated physical activities for our elder members, or even just that we need halal food!

We understand these simplest of things make the biggest of differences! So having a Muslim Prominent Scout Group, means our leaders can share the same beliefs too, so providing for these things…well comes naturally to us.

Is Scouting new to Muslims?

Not at all! Muslims have been in Scouting for decades, within the UK and all around the globe, as leaders and as young members! We have been part of the journey!

That said, Muslims in Scouting, have been limited in the UK until the last decade where the UK Muslim Scout Fellowship was formed. The UK Muslim Scout Fellowship is Support Unit within The Scout Association that became the go to point for all Muslims in Scouting, helping build bridges, open doors and ultimately working tirelessly with local groups to give more young people the opportunity to become part of Scouting! Find out more about The UK Muslim Scout Fellowship here!

Are there many Muslims in Scouting?

In the UK, this number is about a few thousand, but is drastically on the rise as more and more Muslims are sharing the experiences and wanting to join the adventure.

Globally though it’s a whole different story! Islam (the faith that Muslims follow), is the single biggest faith in Scouting!

According to The World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Muslims make up approximately 70% of the 40 Million Scouting Members! Yep you read that right – as much as 70% of all the Global Members! That’s about 28 Million Muslim Members!

Why and How are there so many Muslims in Scouting?

Well it’s simple really!

The simple values embedded in Scouting echo those values taught to be a good Muslim. And those simple values embedded in becoming a good Muslim, are those echoed in Scouting!

Simple but important principles, like Believing in God, Helping others, Being trustworthy, Being part of a worldwide family, are just to name a few! And there is so many more similarities echoed through out both being a good a Muslim and being a good Scout.

Coming to Northampton 

To meet the needs of the Muslim communities within Northampton and the surrounding area we are delighted to be trialing this new Scouting provision for Beaver Scouts (those young people aged 6 to 8.) We will hold an open evening on Monday 2nd September from 18:00 till 19:30 at Overstone Scout Campsite and Activity Centre, Billing Lane, Northampton, NN6 0AF, why not come along and see what it’s all about.

Feel free to pop along on the 2nd of September or click on the register your interest buttons at the top and bottom of this page and we’ll be in touch.

It’s not just about the kids…

Scouting couldn’t exist without volunteers that support and deliver it.

Anyone can volunteer and help in many ways; you don’t have to be a regular Bear Grylls. You might have first aid knowledge that you could teach the group, or you might be able to teach our young members a thing or two about DIY.

If you’re good with accounts you could be Group treasurer, or if you’re a culinary whizz you could run cooking sessions with the young people. Everyone has a skill (whether you know it or not) and we can make use of it.

There’s no pressure to continue as a helper or leader afterwards, but hopefully we’ll be able to inspire you by showing how easy and rewarding it can be to become part of this exciting new Scout Group.