Figure 1.--

We have relatively limited information on Scouts in the Middle East and North Africa. For much of the 20th century the principal group was Scouting. And the Scouting groups were largely middle-class organizations and commited to a program generally in keeping with the principles of Baden-Powell's Scouting movement which included both avoiding political commitments and a world wide international fellowship. Provisions of the Holy Koran incouraging Muslims to associate promarily with other Muslims were generally ignored. Since World War II and the independence of the Arab countries, this has begun to change. Some countries have prohibited Scouting, viewing it with suspision as too Western. Other counrries have founded national youth groups aimed at supporting the regime in power. And political movemnts within countries have founded their own youth groups, sometimes using the term Scouting. These groups tend to have highly political agendas oncluding training children for terrorist activitive and even suicide bombing--hardly in keeping with the spirit of Scouting..

Algeria

Egypt

HBU has been able to find virtually no information on Egyptian Scouting. Scouting appears to have been founded about 1912 in Egypt. Egypt is the most populace country in the Middle East and probably has the largest Scout movement in the area. As in most of the Middle East, the Scout movement in Egypt appears to be relatively small.

Iran

Iraq

We currently have no information on Iraqi Boy Scouts. We do know that the movement exited in the 1920s as they sent a contingent to the World Jamboree in England. The uniform at that time included rather distinctive head gear.

Israel

Jordon

Lebanon

Scouting was founded in Lebanon just before World War I. Lebanon at the time was still part of the Ottoman Empire. The founders were Abdul Satar and Abdul Jabar El Kliairi, both teachers. They had worked in England and brought the idea of Scouting with them when they returned to Lebanon (1912). They established the first Lebanese Scout troop at their school. The Troop persued many standard Scout activities. They also organized a trip to Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire and met with the Sultan. The Scouts in this first Lebanese Troop played a major role in spreading Scouting throughout Lebanon and even in other Arab countries. The Ottoman Empire was destroyed by Woeld War I. THe Fremch became the colonial power in Lebanon. We have no information about Scouting during the French era (1919-43). The Allies liberated Lebanon from Vichy France (1941). Lebanon declared its independence from France (1943). After World War II the Scouting movement reportedly spread in Lebanon. There was, however, no single national Scout association. Lebanon is a country fractured along ethnic and religious lines and this was reflected in the various Scout associations organized. One Lebanese Scouter writes that most of the Lebanese Scouting groups "... are open to everyone with no discrimination. All these associations, however, work hand in hand for the same goals." This is probably an optimistic description of the actual situation. There is a national Lebanese Scouting Federation which the various associations join. There were 19 associtions (1999), but most are quite small and the actual number varies. The Federation helps to coordinate the activities of the diffeent associations as well as operates a Wood Badge training program for Scout leaders. Lebanese Scouting is a respected institution in the country. Scouts from the various associations during the terribly destructive Civil War played an important role in relief activities to aid civilians. Scouts helped destribute food, medicine, and other needed items to the refugees. The more established associations operated First Aid groups which provided emergency care to the wounded. Scouts also played a role in the peace campaigns that sought to end the fighting. Lebanese Scouters writes, "It is worth mentioning that during the war, Scouts from all sides of the conflict remained brothers and remained in contact with each other. Their unity was a good example for all Lebanese . All this helped create a good image for scouting in Lebanon. People here tend to respect scouts and encourage their children to join the scouting movement." [Hassan and Eddien] The size of the movement is not know with any precession. One estimate suggests that there are about 80.000 Scouts and Guides organized into 20 associations (2008). A reflection of the positive image of Scouting is the fact that Hesbolah uses the term Scouting for its youth movement--the Imam al Mahdi scouting movement. While the group maintains a fasade of Scouting, its program is hardly in keeping with the principles of Scouting.

Libya

Morocco

Palestine

Scouting was founded in Palestine (1912) while it was still part of the Ottoman Empire. We have no information on early Palestinian Scouting. I think that it was largely Christian Arabs who were involved, but I do not have a lot of informstion at this time. Palestine became a British League of Nations Mandate after World War I (1914-18). We have no details on Scouting during the inter-war era. The Palestinian Scout Association was recognized by the World Scout Bureau in 1945. I am not sure about the religious make up of the Palestinian Scouts at the time. The post-War situation deteriorated as violence escalated between Jews ans Arabs, leasing to the First Isreali-Arab War (1948-49). The World Scout Bureau withdrew recognition (1949). Official recognition was restored by the World Scout Conference (1996). The Palestinian Scout Association serves youth throughout the Palestinian Authority. The headquarters is in Ramallah in the West Bank. We are not sure about the status of Scouting in Gaza.

Syria

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emriate Scouts rather like British Scouts wear teal colored long pants. Cubs wear very long short pants. Note the length of the shorts. Although in the modern longer style, it should be remembered that on religious grounds, Sharjah is strict over the wearing of shorts in public by men, and by women is a no-no. In the case of boys, a compromise is reached by allowing them to wear shorts but they must be of a longer length to just knee length.

Yemen

Sources

Hassan, Ahmad A. and Ramzi Eddien, "Scouting in Lebanon: Lebanese Scout Federation", internet posting, 1999.

"Turkey folows the Goose-step of Kaiserism, The War, unspecifdied 1915 edition. The War was an illustrated magazine with articles about the fighting published in Britain during the War.