Scouts' uniform for Muslim girls welcomed in East Lancashire

7:00am Tuesday 10th April 2012 in News

The Scouts have developed the first uniform for Muslim girls as the organisations aims to attract youngsters from different cultures.

The move has been welcomed by Muslim leaders in East Lancashire who believe it will lead to more girls joining the organisation.

It is the first time the 105-year-old organisation has altered the design of its clothes specifically for a religion.

The new uniform range includes a knee-length 'hoodie dress' with long sleeves to protect the wearer's modesty. Another t-shirt style dress, suitable for warmer weather, is being finalised ready for the summer.

Both outfits, designed to be worn with trousers, jeans or leggings, were created in response to the growing number of Muslims joining the organisation.

There are already around 2,000 Muslim scout members, including more than 20 Muslim girls in East Lancashire.

Alongside existing Scout Groups with predominately Muslim members, several new groups across East Lancashire are opening - two of which are in Blackburn.

Salim Mulla, chair of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said he welcomed the new uniforms.

He said: “I think that if the dress is more appropriate then that is something the Muslim community will acknowledge.

“It is about modesty and if the organisations are being sensitive towards the needs of the community, then that is something to be welcomed and I think more girls will try to get involved.”

UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: "With this new clothing range, scouting is continuing to move with the times and adapt to the growing number of people from different communities who are choosing to be a part of the movement.

"Scouting has something to offer everyone, no matter your religion, ethnicity or belief, and I'm so proud that we offer an environment for people of all backgrounds to come together and enjoy themselves."

The Scout Association's last census also showed that for the first time, more girls than boys are joining the movement, with an 88 per cent rise in female youth membership since 2005 to 66,576.

Comments (15)

9:12am Tue 10 Apr 12

New World Order. says...

Scout's in burka's..
Scout's in burka's.. New World Order.

9:29am Tue 10 Apr 12

New World Order. says...

Why can't they join the Brownies like all other girl's..?
Why can't they join the Brownies like all other girl's..? New World Order.

10:03am Tue 10 Apr 12

Cheese gnome says...

Isn't the scout movement a christian movement?
In the promise you have to honour God.
Isn't the scout movement a christian movement? In the promise you have to honour God. Cheese gnome

10:35am Tue 10 Apr 12

Excluded again says...

The Scout movement is not a Christian movement. It says you have to honour 'God' but is deliberately vague as to which God.

There are Scouting movements in almost every country in the world. The largest Scouting movement in the world is in Indonesia (a mainly Muslim country) and the third largest is in India (with most members being Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs).
The Scout movement is not a Christian movement. It says you have to honour 'God' but is deliberately vague as to which God. There are Scouting movements in almost every country in the world. The largest Scouting movement in the world is in Indonesia (a mainly Muslim country) and the third largest is in India (with most members being Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs). Excluded again

10:59am Tue 10 Apr 12

Wetwangman says...

They will be introducing a new badge soon, then , won't they....answers on a postcard to......
They will be introducing a new badge soon, then , won't they....answers on a postcard to...... Wetwangman

11:36am Tue 10 Apr 12

Bat E Karen says...

I don't see the big deal. Girl Guides have been wearing jeans and hoodies for years.
I don't see the big deal. Girl Guides have been wearing jeans and hoodies for years. Bat E Karen

12:12pm Tue 10 Apr 12

jack daniels says...

But why the need for a separate uniform? Surely a head scarf would have sufficed.
But why the need for a separate uniform? Surely a head scarf would have sufficed. jack daniels

12:18pm Tue 10 Apr 12

useyourhead says...

New World Order. wrote:
Why can't they join the Brownies like all other girl's..?
Then the PC brigade would want the name changed lol
[quote][p][bold]New World Order.[/bold] wrote: Why can't they join the Brownies like all other girl's..?[/p][/quote]Then the PC brigade would want the name changed lol useyourhead

12:38pm Tue 10 Apr 12

HelmshoreBoy says...

Why is it that females are allowed to join the Scouts, yet males are not allowed to join the Guides?
Why is it that females are allowed to join the Scouts, yet males are not allowed to join the Guides? HelmshoreBoy

2:45pm Tue 10 Apr 12

Cha'mone MF says...

I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my
gears is why do they have to
have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do!
Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join?

Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved
I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my gears is why do they have to have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do! Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join? Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved Cha'mone MF

3:20pm Tue 10 Apr 12

New World Order. says...

Cha'mone MF wrote:
I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my
gears is why do they have to
have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do!
Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join?

Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved
You can only bend over backward's so far before you go head over heels.
Just had a friend pop round in her old Brownie uniform she's 40yrs and it still fit's her a bit tight on the hip's and way way above the knee but very kind to the eye and that is long sleeved. The misses tried it and she still looked a tw4t but hey not a bad for a Tuesday afternoon.
[quote][p][bold]Cha'mone MF[/bold] wrote: I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my gears is why do they have to have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do! Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join? Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved[/p][/quote]You can only bend over backward's so far before you go head over heels. Just had a friend pop round in her old Brownie uniform she's 40yrs and it still fit's her a bit tight on the hip's and way way above the knee but very kind to the eye and that is long sleeved. The misses tried it and she still looked a tw4t but hey not a bad for a Tuesday afternoon. New World Order.

3:38pm Tue 10 Apr 12

Excluded again says...

Cha'mone MF wrote:
I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my
gears is why do they have to
have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do!
Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join?

Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved
I think you fill find that uniforms for Scouts and Guides have changed over the years. And there have been several options for uniforms for years.

If you go on the Scout Shop website, you will see that there are a range of choices for Scout uniforms. And that's before you start on the Beavers, Cubs and Explorers.
[quote][p][bold]Cha'mone MF[/bold] wrote: I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my gears is why do they have to have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do! Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join? Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved[/p][/quote]I think you fill find that uniforms for Scouts and Guides have changed over the years. And there have been several options for uniforms for years. If you go on the Scout Shop website, you will see that there are a range of choices for Scout uniforms. And that's before you start on the Beavers, Cubs and Explorers. Excluded again

5:48pm Tue 10 Apr 12

jack daniels says...

Excluded again wrote:
Cha'mone MF wrote:
I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my
gears is why do they have to
have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do!
Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join?

Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved
I think you fill find that uniforms for Scouts and Guides have changed over the years. And there have been several options for uniforms for years.

If you go on the Scout Shop website, you will see that there are a range of choices for Scout uniforms. And that's before you start on the Beavers, Cubs and Explorers.
But there's a difference between modernising and changing something just to accommodate a culture reluctant to change. There was no need to create a whole new outfit.
[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Cha'mone MF[/bold] wrote: I'm all for people from different back grounds joining the scouts after all don't we read on here complaint after complaint that's Muslims simply don't integrate, this is clearly a step forward for integration but what grinds my gears is why do they have to have a separate uniform? Surely integrating is about joining in and in these particular circumstances the uniform has been traditional for over a hundred years so why change it so others will integrate? If they don't want to wear it then find something else to do! Would the Police, Fire or Ambulance service alter their uniform so other religions will join? Yet another example of society bending over backwards to accommodate a certain section who aren't interested in becoming involved[/p][/quote]I think you fill find that uniforms for Scouts and Guides have changed over the years. And there have been several options for uniforms for years. If you go on the Scout Shop website, you will see that there are a range of choices for Scout uniforms. And that's before you start on the Beavers, Cubs and Explorers.[/p][/quote]But there's a difference between modernising and changing something just to accommodate a culture reluctant to change. There was no need to create a whole new outfit. jack daniels

5:57pm Tue 10 Apr 12

sen c bl says...

Those moaning and grumbling,
travel the worid and in particular the third world countries and witness the harmony between sects.
Those moaning and grumbling, travel the worid and in particular the third world countries and witness the harmony between sects. sen c bl

1:21am Wed 11 Apr 12

jack daniels says...

sen c bl wrote:
Those moaning and grumbling,
travel the worid and in particular the third world countries and witness the harmony between sects.
Yeah, Africa is full of peace and harmony. Old on, it's at war with Muslim extremists!
[quote][p][bold]sen c bl[/bold] wrote: Those moaning and grumbling, travel the worid and in particular the third world countries and witness the harmony between sects.[/p][/quote]Yeah, Africa is full of peace and harmony. Old on, it's at war with Muslim extremists! jack daniels

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