Scouts have faith

Members and leaders of troops at Annoor Islamic School say Girl Scouts and Islam share common lessons and values

BY CHRISTINA M. WOODS
The Wichita Eagle

After serving apple-chicken salad in pastry shells, cucumber tea sandwiches, smoked salmon and asparagus crustini, summer berry tarts, pink lemonade with kiwi, and tea, members of Danah Salem's Girl Scout troop did a lively rendition of the Macarena dance.

Scouts have Faith There was a purpose to this dance, the grand finale of the troop's mother-daughter party held Saturday at Reed's Cove Clubhouse. They had a dance badge to earn.

The party served as a bonding experience for mothers whose homelands include places such as Syria, Sudan, Jordan and Singapore. These are women united by their Muslim faith and whose daughters make up one of several Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland troops based at Annoor Islamic School, 6655 E. 34th St. North.

Earning badges is nice, but there's a deeper satisfaction in having their children participate in Girl Scouts, they said.

"The values of Girl Scouts are very similar to the Islamic values," said Salem, who leads the group of fifth- and sixth-graders along with Layla Anbarji. "It's nice to re-emphasize those values in a different kind of way instead of always saying, 'This is what our religion tells you.' "

The school also has students participating in Boy Scouts of America, staff members said. More than 20 girls participate in Girl Scout troops based at the school. More troops are expected to be formed next year.

"That's huge for a school," said Angela Cato, marketing and communications manager for the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. "It's a very good representation."

"We're just trying to get them to explore new things that they never thought they could do," Salem said.

It's also a way to get people to look beyond their religion to find common ground through cookie-selling and other activities, according to some of the girls.

Several members of Lana Madi's troop of 11- through 13-year-olds sold cookies on foot Friday in neighborhoods north of the school. While walking, many of the girls talked about the reactions they get wearing their hijabs, or head-coverings, in public.

Madi, who teaches religious studies at the school, said she discusses different aspects of religion with her troop when they're working on faith badges, for example. The hijab, she said, is used to protect women's beauty. They also discuss portions of the Quran and answer questions the girls may have about being Muslim.

Madi said she's watching the girls mature through the organization and its activities. When people say no to the Girl Scout cookies, she said, the girls know it's that person's choice and not a personal attack.

One of the troop members said people sometimes stare or make comments about the girls being terrorists. The girls said they ignore such comments.

"Some people do give negative comments," said Madi's 13-year-old daughter and troop member, Maha. "But this is my faith." She's considering wearing her hijab in public all of the time, she said.

Mehma Salim, who always wears her hijab in public, said she usually doesn't get negative comments because she has a positive attitude. She smiles a lot while talking with people, particularly while selling cookies.

Being a Girl Scout, she said, "helps me get a better chance to socialize with other people and, even though we're different, we're still people. We're the same, but with different religions."

Malasia McClain, 11, said she's enjoyed being in a Girl Scout troop with other girls who share her values and religion.

"It's better in this troop because you won't be made fun of about how you look or what you wear," said Malasia, who has been in Madi's troop for a year. "It's boosted my self-esteem and it makes you feel better about who you are, what you do and what you wear."

Building self-confidence is what Madi said she loves most about the organization. She's considering creating a Daisy troop next year for her 4-year-old daughter, Hana, who insists on having a Girl Scout uniform ordered for her this year.

"I'm proud to be a Girl Scout leader," Madi said. "I love this troop. They are good and I'm very proud of them."

Reach Christina M. Woods at 316-269-6791 or cwoods@wichitaeagle.com.

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/story/301275.html