Scouts Launch New Clothing Range For Muslim Girls

Muslim Scouting in Britain is a growing phenomenon that has developed in the last ten years to cater for the needs of increasing numbers of second and third generation Muslims. There are around 2000 Muslim Scouts now in the organisation and 40 active UK Scout Groups that have predominantly Muslim membership.

The Scout Association launched a new clothing range designed for Muslim girls in the movement. The two new outfits – a “hoodie dress” and a “T-shirt dress” – are to be made available following requests from Scout members from the Muslim community.
 
Both new outfits are knee-length and feature a graphic print inspired by Scout badges and activities that encapsulates the adventurous spirit of Scouting.  They have been designed by Sarah Elenany, a 27-year-old British designer of Palestinian and Egyptian origin. Sarah’s fashion label, Elenany, aims to provide stylish modest clothing that Muslims could wear. While the clothing has been designed for Muslim girls in mind, the garments can be worn by anyone in Scouting.
 
The new clothing range is one way that UK Scouting is modernising to adapt to increasing diversity in the movement and respond to the needs of its members. The Scout Association in turn hopes the move will encourage more Muslims to join up. In May 2010, The Scout Association partnered with charity Mosaic to launch a campaign encouraging more members of Muslim communities to become Scout volunteers.
 
The principles of Scouting are central to Islam. Both aim to nurture trustworthy, self-controlled and self-confident citizens, who have self-respect and respect for others and work together to serve other people and improve society. Worldwide, over a third of all Scouts are Muslim.

Aamena Ismail, a scout from London, said:
 
“I think this dress hoodie is a fantastic idea. As a Muslim girl in Scouting I feel more comfortable in it, but it’s still practical and I can even wear it abseiling! It’s stylish enough to wear outside Scouting too, and I love how you can see different activities within the design. It’s something different and a brilliant idea.”