Scouting and Mosaic piece together plan for more Muslim Scout volunteers

Before I get into the head office piece I have in by county an excellent representation of Muslims in our membership, that said unfortunately the actual members are very separate and don’t integrate well with the rest of the district or county.  I have not yet had time but tis on my to-do list to see if this is just another solo group (we have a number) or its religious or cultural reasons they aren’t integrating.  Still Kudos for scouting and mosaic to get some action together. 

For my part I already have a meeting scheduled with a mosaic member and he is looking to become one of our senior county leadership.  Hopefully this is the first of a lot of cultural integration and breaking up the still persistent but sometimes true perception that scouting is the domain of the white middleclass. 

For GLMW we are definitely not “the domain of the white middleclass” we have great diversity even if at times we struggle with enthusiasm and brotherhood.

10/05/2010

The Scout Association today launched a campaign with Mosaic, a charity founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, to encourage more members of Muslim communities to become Scouts volunteers.

The campaign aims to open more opportunities for young community leaders to experience the adventure of Scouting and help address the urgent need for adult volunteers to meet Scouting’s 33,500 joining list. More than 200 leading members of the Muslim community will attend the London launch event this evening.

Mosaic believes that the best way to promote higher levels of civic engagement is by encouraging people to become Scout volunteers. Like Scouting, it aims to provide opportunities and positive role models for young people. 

Community charity

This is the first time that the Association has partnered with a community charity championed by Muslims in the London region in such a way. Having the ability to access Mosaic’s network which covers London, South East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Midlands is particularly exciting. The Movement receives regular requests from faith-based groups for new Scout Groups - highlighting the need for leaders and the difference that this support could make to communities. There are currently 29 UK Scout Groups which have predominantly Muslim membership.

The initiative is the first annual volunteering campaign run by Mosaic and marks a departure from its usual focus on mentoring. Mosaic is the first Muslim-led organisation to promote Muslim communities’ involvement in Scouting.

To launch the campaign, Mosaic is holding a networking event for 200 of its mentors and volunteers this evening at the Royal Commonwealth Society, where it will publicly promote the Scouts' volunteering campaign for the first time. The charity’s network includes many of the UK’s most successful young Muslim professionals whose skills it hopes to harness for the benefit of young people through Scouting.

Muslim volunteers

Moadh Kheriji, Chairman of The Scout Association's Muslim Scouts Fellowship, said: 'In launching this campaign and promoting volunteering in Scouting, Mosaic has responded to a very urgent need for new volunteers in the UK.'

Jonathan Freeman, National Operations Director UK, Mosaic, added: 'Scouting is a well-loved British institution that teaches young people valuable lessons and develops key skills that will help them through life. Mosaic’s purpose is to provide inspiration and role models to young people. It seems only natural that we urge more people to take up a leadership role and inspire the thousands of children that are currently without a leader and therefore unable to take part.'

Bear Grylls is also supportive of the campaign: 'As UK Chief Scout, my aim is to encourage masses of adults in the UK to volunteer with the Scouts. Mosaic’s work to engage Muslim communities in Scouts volunteering is a fantastic idea. I would encourage Mosaic’s supporters to put themselves forward for an adventure that can make such a positive difference.'

Tonight guests will hear from John May, a member of the World Scout Committee and Chief Executive of Young Enterprise UK Scout Association. Ten young Scout ambassadors from across the UK will also attend to discuss their experience of Scouting first-hand. 

More information

Find out more about Mosaic and how you can join the adventure of Scouting.

New Muslim Scout Leaders sought by Mosaic charity (BBC)  

Yours in Scouting,

Matthew Black,