Muslim Girl Scouts in Minneapolis

July 11, 2005

Source: Minnesota Public Radio

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/06/30_tonessb_girlscouts/

On July 11, 2005 Minnesota Public Radio reported, "A group of Girl Scouts gather at a community center in Minneapolis. Like many Girl Scout troops, these young girls start each meeting with the Girl Scout promise. The girls face each other, holding their three middle fingers in the air, and recite their pledge. But this troop does it a little differently than most. 'On my honor,' they start, 'I will try to serve Allah and my country, to help people and live by the Girl Scout law.' Substituting Allah for God is one of a few tweaks the Girl Scouts of America have made to the traditional scouting rituals and practices to include Muslim girls. These girls wear traditional head scarves, called the hijab. They earn some badges unique to their faith. Islamic merit badges are rewards for learning prayers or teaching non-Muslims about their religion."