Girl Scout troops operating out of mosques nationwide have been found to promote Islamic faith through unique awards and programming, according to an investigation by independent journalist Natalie Winters. These findings highlight a growing presence of Muslim-oriented scouting activities under the Girl Scouts brand, sparking debate about religious expression within the organization.
Muslim Faith Integrated into Girl Scout Activities
Winters’ investigation revealed that several Girl Scout troops are based in mosques across the country, including locations in Sacramento, Washington D.C., Naperville, Long Island, Virginia, Brooklyn, and San Diego. These troops offer special awards created by the National Islamic Committee on Girl Scouting (NICGS), an independent organization separate from Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA).
The NICGS has developed four Islamic-themed award ribbons: “Bismillah,” “In the Name of Allah,” “Qurat ul A’in,” and “Muslimeen.” These awards focus on the “theory and practice of Islam,” providing scouts with recognition tied directly to their faith.
Faith-Based Patches and Activities Highlight Islamic Practices
Beyond ribbons, the NICGS offers a Hajj patch and a “Hajj Passport” for scouts who complete the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. Additionally, the Girl Scout Bronze Award includes an “All about Islam” patch requiring participants to learn about the five pillars of Islam. Older scouts may engage in optional fasting without food or water.
One notable patch, “Share Ramadan with a Friend,” encourages younger scouts to invite non-Muslim friends to an Iftar meal, explaining the significance of fasting during Ramadan. Older scouts may take friends to mosques to observe Muslim prayers, effectively promoting Muslim evangelism within the scouting framework.
Mosque-Based Troops Host Events Emphasizing Islamic Culture
For example, the SALAM mosque in Sacramento hosted an event for the broader Girl Scout community featuring a hijab photo booth, modesty lessons, and an informational booth about Palestine. In the Washington, D.C. area, mosque-affiliated Girl Scout groups organized a Ramadan Lock-In, instructing attendees to bring Muslim prayer garments.
These activities illustrate how mosque-based troops integrate Islamic culture and religious practices into their programming, often inviting participation from the wider Girl Scout community.
Historical and Cultural Context of Muslim Participation
The Post Millennial reported that nearly a dozen predominantly Muslim Girl Scout troops were established in Minneapolis following targeted outreach by GSUSA to Muslim communities starting in 2007. This development occurs amid a broader trend of Christian families withdrawing from scouting organizations in favor of explicitly Christian alternatives.
Originally, scouting organizations aimed to teach outdoor skills and character virtues to children, fostering cooperation across diverse American communities. However, cultural shifts and perceptions of anti-Christian bias have led some Christian families to seek other options.
In contrast, many Muslim families in America are relatively recent immigrants, with cultural backgrounds that did not traditionally engage with the Americana that shaped scouting. For these families, American culture can feel foreign or even hostile, which may explain their willingness to participate in Girl Scouts, especially when Islamic faith elements are incorporated.
Girl Scouts USA Responds to Investigation
In response to the investigation, Girl Scouts USA issued a statement labeling the report as “misinformation.” They emphasized that Girl Scouts is not a religious organization and does not teach religion. The organization highlighted its “My Promise, My Faith” pin, which invites girls to connect the Girl Scout Law with their own faith traditions.
GSUSA clarified that any faith-based patches, including those related to Islam, are developed by independent faith organizations rather than Girl Scouts USA itself. They reaffirmed their commitment to welcoming girls of every faith and background.
Questions About Religious Favoritism and Diversity
Despite GSUSA’s clarification, the approval and allowance of Muslim faith patches under the Girl Scouts umbrella suggest a level of accommodation that some observers argue is not equally extended to other religions. The investigation raises questions about whether the organization is exhibiting religious favoritism in the name of diversity.
Unlike the Muslim-focused awards and activities, there appears to be no equivalent Christian evangelism badges or patches formally recognized by the Girl Scouts. This disparity has fueled debate about the organization’s evolving cultural and religious landscape.
Conclusion
The discovery of mosque-based Girl Scout troops with Islamic-themed awards and programming reveals a significant shift in how the organization engages with faith communities. While Girl Scouts USA maintains that it remains a non-religious entity welcoming all backgrounds, the prominence of Muslim-oriented scouting activities under its brand highlights ongoing tensions around religious expression and inclusivity.
As scouting organizations continue to navigate America’s diverse cultural landscape, the balance between faith accommodation and organizational neutrality remains a complex and contested issue.
Source: Read the original reporting.
