And participating Scouts seem to agree. “We went on hikes, jamborees and flag drills,” explained Mas’ood Cajee, who grew up as a member of Islamic Scouting Troop 322 in Seattle. “We were young American Muslims, at one with Allah and the Constitution.” In addition to earning merit badges for sports, citizenship and crafts, U.S. Scouts can earn the “Bismillah” emblem through basic knowledge of Islam and the “In the Name of God” emblem for advanced Islamic knowledge and practice, which helps Scouts fulfill the Scout Promise: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.” Outstanding adult leaders may earn the “Allahu Akbar” emblem.

Shahed Amanullah is CEO and co-founder of startup LaunchPosse, which helps aspiring entrepreneurs harness social networking, and CEO and co-founder of Halalfire, which delivers information to global Muslim communities online. He was formerly senior technology adviser at the U.S. State Department. He created Zabihah.com, a global halal restaurant guide, and the online magazine altmuslim.net.

Several videos were also produced, one of which features Islamic Center of Northern Virginia Chartered Organization Representative Scout Leader, Abdul Rashid Abdullah, who helps promote Scouting across the National Capital Area Council and across the United States.  He talks about the importance of Scouting in the Muslim community. Troop 114 of Fairfax, VA, Patriot District, National Capital Area Council, is featured in this video, produced by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs in February 2014. This selection is from a four-part series on American Muslims.  http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/video/2014/02/20140226294196.html#axzz2xkslsJqG.  Other ICNVT Community Members can be seen woven through the videos, especially in the silhouettes seen in additional videos: