Changing face of Scouts as organisation welcomes Muslim kids

Scouts Australia is embracing diversity and welcoming Victoria's first all-Muslim cubs group .

The Scouts play a reef knot relay race game. Source: SBS

A Melbourne Muslim school, the Australian International Academy, has embraced outdoor adventure and activity organisation Scouts as a way to build inter-community interactions.

The school's director general, Salah Salman, said a spiritual element coupled with Scouts Australia's purpose and values fits the Muslim belief well.

"It's part of our program here to encourage students to be part of the whole nation, and not just the whole nation, but the whole world," Mr Salman said.

Scouts at the Australian International Academy recite a pledge. (SBS) Source: SBS

Scouts Victoria's chief commissioner, Brendan Watson, said the organisation has a number of specific community groups, including Coptic, Catholic, Jewish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indigenous.

"In days gone by we were probably more white, Anglo Saxon and traditionally only male to start with. Now we're co-educational and we're more multicultural, as well as multifaith and denominational," Mr Watson said. 

He said he's seen young people teach and learn (from) their peers, and through that, an increased level of acceptance.

A new member is welcomed to the group. (SBS) Source: SBS

Rasha Ahmed's three boys are part of the cubs Scouts group.

"It's great for other children from the wider community who they interact with to see that they have their set of values too," she said.

"They have principles, they do have the care and the compassion - they integrate very well, they speak the same language, and it's not only about what's apparent, it's more about what we practice and what we give back to the community."

Pinning badges to uniforms. (SBS) Source: SBS

Scouts Australia has seen an increase of nearly 20 per cent in the last decade to 70,000 members.

Scouts Australia's chief commissioner, Chris Bates, said diversity and inclusion is promoted and modelled in all programs.

He said some of the most meaningful experiences young members can have is meeting other Scouts from another culture and realising they have many shared values.

"Scouting in Australia (is) a direct reflection of Australia's society - diversity and inclusive of all young people," Mr Bates said.