Scouting at ICN

Islamic Center of Naperville has a Boy Scout Troop (Troop 99), Cub Scout Pack (Pack 99) and a Girls Scout Troop as well .  Each of these units have their own individual leadership team, which manages their day to day activities. Their is a Scouting Committee which sits on top of these 3 individual units to ensure proper communication and coordination.

Scouting in Islam

  • In 1982, the National Islamic Committee on Scouting (NICS) was formed by a group of concerned Muslims who represented many national Muslim organizations.
    • The committee is comprised of:
      • A chair appointed annually by the president of the Boy Scouts of America and the Chief Scout Executive.
      • Officers appointed by the chair including executive vice chair, committee chairs, national chaplain, secretary, and regional vice chairs.
  • Mission of NICS: Promote Scouting among Muslim youth; help Muslim institutions and local council Islamic committees provide Scouting opportunities for Muslim youth; and promote Islamic values in Scouting through program helps and the religious emblems program.
  • Responsibilities of NICS include:
    • Formulating policies that govern the formation of Scouting in Islamic organizations.
    • Establishing policies affecting the participation of Muslim men and women in Scouting through Islamic centers and mosques.
    • Advising the BSA National Council in all matters relating to Scouting among Muslims.
  • In 1982, the Islamic Council on Scouting of North America was incorporated in New York and chosen by the BSA to work with the Muslim community at large. In that year, they accepted the religious emblems as part of the BSA Duty to God program.

Scouting Youth and Adult Recognitions (Boy Scouts/ Cub Scouts)

The NICS also promotes the BSA religious emblems program, providing guidance to Muslim youth in achieving the spiritual pledges made in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Youth Emblems

Bismillah Emblem

Purpose
  • Encourages boys to advance in the knowledge and practice of Islamic living.
Eligibility
  • Islamic Cub Scouts who have been involved in Cub Scouting at least six months and attend a religious school
  • Cub Scouts must have achieved Bear rank or earned at least five Webelos activity badges by the time they receive the award.
Requirements
  • Youth must successfully complete all activities related to the Holy Books, Great Prophets, prayers, religious holidays, Mosque or Islamic centers, Muslim heroes, and American Muslim heritage.

In the Name of “Allah” God Emblem

Purpose
  • Helps youth fulfill the first part of the Scout Promise: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God.”
Eligibility
  • Muslim Boy Scouts who have achieved at least Second class rank or Venturers
Requirements
  • Muslim Boy Scouts who have achieved at least Second class rank or Venturers

Peace Emblem

Purpose
  • Encourages young adults to explore adult Islamic roles in the context of family, community, and Islamic people
Eligibility
  • Any non-Muslim Boy Scouts, Venturers, or adult leaders

Adult Emblem

Adult unit leaders are chosen by the Muslim organization that organizes the unit. The local council assists the Muslim organization in recruiting and training the leadership.

Allaho Akber (God Is Great) Emblem

Purpose
  • Recognizes outstanding service by adults in the promotion of Scouting among Muslim youth.
Eligibility
  • Recommendations are made to the National Islamic Council on Scouting by Imans of the Mosques, directors of Muslim Centers, presidents of Muslim organizations, or Boy Scout councils. Approved names are submitted for ratification to the Islamic Council on Scouting of North America.
Requirements
  • Made annually at the BSA National Annual Meeting.

Organization Information