Helping Muslim children make the most of !ife
What is ISB Scouting ?
ISB Scouts is a department of ISB that embraces Muslim children from all social backgrounds and cultures, enabling them to get more out of life.
The Aim of the ISB Scout section is for Muslim children to have fun, whilst following a programme that will encourage them to achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals and as responsible members of their local, national and international communities.
There is a Promise and Law which provides children with a code of living.
The values that these give are present throughout the content and method of delivery of the programme.
The Scout Promise is:
On my honour, I promise that I will do my duty to Allah and to the land that I live in, to help other people and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Law is:
1. A Scout is to be trusted
2. A scout is loyal
3. A Scout is friendly and considerate
4. A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts
5. A Scout has courage in all difficulties
6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property
7. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.
So what does this really mean?
Scouting will enable Muslim children to:
learn the teachings of Islam in a fun and enjoyable way
develop physically through participating in structured, exciting and challenging leisure time activities;
acquire Leadership skills
develop self-confidence and in particular confidence in Islam
develop discipline
developing respect for others (e.g. elders)
developing ukhuwah (Muslim brotherhood)
Developing Akhlaq (Muslim personality)
develop social skills, such as working with other people, making friends and sharing experiences;
develop a sense of responsibility for their local and wider communities
enjoy a complementary informal education system whch will highlight the importance of education and career choices
Activities
ISB scouting will meet the above by various activities, such as
Sports, camping, outdoor pursuits, swimming, orienteering, study circles, reminders, trips, projects, community services etc.
Who is Scouting for?
Scouting welcomes all boys, aged between 6 and 14 years. Adults and parents within the community can work directly with young people, as Leaders or helpers, or with other adults as Administrators or general supporters.
How is Scouting organised?
The ISB Scout department plans to have three Sections for Muslim children, which enables them to join at the age of six as a Beaver Scout, join the Cub Scouts at the age of eight, the Scouts at ten and a half years old to fourteen when they are expected to join The Young Muslim section until they are twenty-four.
The Sections will follow a training scheme that will enable them to work for awards and badges which help them develop skills personally and as a team member. The most prestigious achievement award as a Member of the Scout Movement, is the Queen’s Scout Award which may be gained by the olderScouts.
Within a neighbourhood or particular community some, or all, of the three Sections will collectively form what is known as a Scout Group, each with its own name. The Group will be managed by a Group Scout Leader, who will co-ordinate all of the work with young people adult support, community relations and the development of the Group.
Scout Groups can meet in any suitable building, such as a community centre, school or place of worship.
The Groups within a defined area (a District), are supported by a team of experienced Leaders and someone who is called the District Commissioner. A key part of their role is maintaining and developing relationships with the local communities and developing new and existing provision.
How can my family and I participate in Scouting?
A Scout Group will rely heavily on voluntary Leaders and adult support, in fact, it will not be able to exist without them, so any help that you may give would be very welcome.
Parents and adults have the chance to help Muslim children in their personal development and reduce the barriers between generations. Adult Leaders will receive valuable, structured training that will allow for their own personal development too.
What are the benefits of Scouting?
To Muslim children of your community, having a Scout Group would assist in providing:
cultural education;
pride in cultural identity;
language re-enforcement;
a sense of belonging;
building of self-esteem.
Involvement in Scouting can also be advantageous to the Muslim children when applying for employment, as employees often look favourably on young people who have Scouting backgrounds.
Your community could greatly benefit by establishing its own Scout Group, as it will bring families closer by creating friendship and support between Muslim children and their families. This would also give parents and the community a way of doing something positive for the young people.
How will Scouting cater for my/our cultural and religious needs?
The fundamentals of ISB Scouting will be to re-inforce the beliefs and practices of Islam. By following the Scout Promise and Law, through the Progressive Training Scheme, it is intended that Muslim children will meet the responsibilities that Islam places upon them.