Muslim Boy Scouts in York, S.C.

August 9, 2004

Source: The Herald (S.C.)

http://www.heraldonline.com/local/story/3736448p-3340215c.html

On August 9, 2004 The Herald (S.C.) reported, "under an American flag, after a plaintive rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, almost 300 scouts received khaki scout hats and merit badge armbands Sunday. The best scout camp softball team mugged for photos. The best camp cook took a good-natured ribbing. The York County Sheriff and the head of South Carolina's FBI office clapped and handed out certificates. Then the campers recited the Koran and pledged their lives to Allah. Sunday's award ceremony was for the Muslim Scouts of America after a month-long camp held at Islamville, a 40-acre tract outside York. About a hundred of the Group Muslims of the Americas have lived at Islamville for more than 20 years. Islamville was chosen for the camp because its site features a holy shrine that is part of what residents say is God's guidance to teach both Islam and American patriotism."