A Scout is Reverent.

Scout Jumuah is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting within the Muslim Community. Masajid and other Islamic institutions that charter Scouts or who have Muslims in Scouting, should use this day to celebrate and highlight their achievements as well as highlight the need of working with the youth in the Muslim community.

The National Association of Muslim Americans on Scouting (NAMAS) has designated Friday, February 8, 2019 to be Scout Jumuah. Some units may adjust this date in their locale to best meet their needs.

The 2019 patch theme is centered around Family Scouting.  We are still in the process of developing our patch and hope to have the design available soon to showcase.

Scout Jumuah 2019

For Muslim Scouting units, a suggested program consists of the following:

• Recognition by the Chartered Organization Representative after each Salaat of the Scouting program and/or a khutbah that discusses the importance of Scouting to Muslim Youth.
• Service Project – Cleaning up trash all around the Masjid or their Chartering Organizations. The time spent will count towards Service Hour Rank Requirements.
• Full Uniform – Please proudly wear your uniform to demonstrate Scout Spirit.
• Scout Display – We suggest setting up displays about Scouting. Ideas could include but are not limited to a model campsite (Tent, Firepit, Chuckbox, and Dining Area), photos about the program, patches, and other Scout materials.
• A Scout Jumuah Patch is available for those who participate fully in Scout Jumuah. If you or your unit would like to receive the patches, you can place your order here.

If you would like to submit a design for the 2020 Scout Jumuah Patch, please contact us with your submission.

After careful consideration of the situation and available options, the difficult but prudent decision has been made that the Philmont backcountry will remain closed for treks and individual programs for the remainder of the 2018 summer season. This means that the following programs scheduled for this summer are canceled: 7- and 12-day treks; and individual backcountry programs, including Rayado, ROCS, Trail Crew, STEM and Ranch Hands.

Refund Checks for all affected crews will be sent to the lead contact advisor on Monday, July 9, 2018. Over the next few days, our staff will be contacting the lead advisor or contingent leader of these crews confirming the refund, offering a trek at Philmont for the 2020 season, and answering any questions. Please wait and allow the Philmont team to contact your crew – your assistance will help make sure that Philmont phone lines remain open. Your cooperation will be most appreciated. While High Adventure opportunities are at capacity at Northern Tier and the Florida Sea Base, there are opportunities at The Summit and they would be happy to accommodate your crew.

This has been a difficult and at the same time inspiring summer at Philmont. For the first time in its history, Philmont is closing its backcountry. As difficult as this situation has been for our Philmont family and for Scouts across our country, we have been truly inspired by the incredible enthusiasm and perseverance shown by our staff, the resourcefulness displayed by displaced crews to find other summer adventures, and the understanding and good wishes from thousands of Scouts and Scouters from around the world. For all of these blessings, we are truly grateful.

Fire danger in northern New Mexico is currently classified as “extreme.” The fire danger has led to closure of most public lands near Philmont. The Carson National Forest’s nearby Questa and Camino Real Ranger Districts, including the Valle Vidal area that Philmont utilizes, have been closed to public access. The New Mexico Game and Fish Department has similarly closed all of its properties that border Philmont, including the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area on our western border and the Elliott S. Barker Wildlife Management Area adjacent to our North Country. Links to these closure notices are included at the end of this release.

On Friday, June 29, 2018, the Morris (Moras) Creek fire started south of the Philmont property line on private neighboring property near the Rayado River Canyon. This fire is currently more than 1500 acres and is burning on Philmont property.

Our ranch managers, volunteer leaders, and national staff have monitored the situation since the Ute Park fire began and attempted to plan alternate trek routes and procedures required by Philmont to manage backcountry emergencies. Because of the Morris (Moras) Creek fire, these alternate trek routes have now been eliminated. The safety of our youth participants, volunteers and staff is the priority at Philmont Scout Ranch and for the Boy Scouts of America.

This decision applies only to Philmont’s backcountry programs. Philmont’s Camping Headquarters and Base Camp area, the Philmont Training Center, the new National Scouting Museum, the Chase Ranch, and the Kit Carson Museum at Rayado will remain open all summer. Training courses at the Philmont Training Center and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) will proceed as scheduled. This decision does not affect Philmont’s fall programs, including Autumn Adventure and fall PTC training conferences.

The Philmont ranger motto is “scramble – be flexible.” That’s what we at Philmont have been doing all summer as we deal with these unexpected and unfortunate circumstances. Our terrific summer staff has embraced challenges that they didn’t anticipate when they signed on. They expected to be delivering awesome backcountry programs and inspiring high adventure experiences to thousands of Scouts and Scouters. Instead, they have enthusiastically taken on difficult and physically taxing timber stand improvement projects, backcountry fire abatement work, community service projects, and staff jobs at other camps. They are making sure we will be ready to re-open next year! Their willingness to roll up their sleeves, pitch in and meet the challenges we have faced reflects the very best on Scouting and our nation’s youth. They have our sincere thanks!

Our National BSA leadership has been working with airlines to assist crews with refunds, changes, and credits. Please refer to the following contacts for support.
American Airlines—-1-800-221-2255
Southwest Airlines—1-800-435-9792
Alaska Airlines——–1-800-654-5669
Amtrak —————–1-800-872-7245

Our entire Philmont family thanks you for your continued understanding, your support, and your cooperation.

Links for information on area closures and fires:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/carson/home
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/state-game-commission-lands
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
https://nmfireinfo.com/

As you look at alternatives for adventures this summer please check out NCAP accredited high adventure programs offered by local councils here.

Many Scouts throughout the world will welcome the Holy month of Ramadan tonight, May 15th, with the first night of Taraweeh prayers. A special prayer during the month of Ramadan, a month spent in Fasting and additional worship, intended to elevate spiritual observance and to help Scouts enrich their Duty and Reverence to God. We encourage Parents and Scout Leaders to have their Scouts to participate in the Ramadan Quest program.

According to the Fiqh Council of North America, the announcement for Ramadan is based upon the following that Ramadan, 1439 AH, the Astronomical New Moon is on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 11:47 Universal Time. On that day, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean at sunset, the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore, the first day of Ramadan 1439 is on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, insha’Allah. First Tarawih prayer will be on Tuesday night.

The Eid ul-Fitr, for 1439 AH, is based upon that the Astronomical New Moon is on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at 19:43 Universal Time. On that day there is no place on earth where at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore, Shawwal cannot start the next day. Hence, the first day of Shawwal 1439 is on Friday, June 15, 2018, insha’Allah.

Due to some differences in juristic opinions among Muslim scholars, some Scouts may begin and end Ramadan on slightly different days. Scout leaders should be aware of this fact and proceed appropriate in serving their Scouts.

Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic Lunar calendar and is marked by the sighting of the waxing crescent moon and ends with the sighting of the waxing crescent moon of the following month, Shawwal. The period of time for Ramadan is thus 29 or 30 days; never any longer or any shorter than that. Fasting during Ramadan begins at Dawn which is well before sunrise and ends at Sunset. Most Muslims use prayer schedules and apps to assist them in precisely identifying the calculated prayer times. Muslims refrain from all food and drink during the fasting period. Young children, elderly, individuals who are sick, traveling, and women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or who are menstruating are exempt from fasting.

Courtesies to extend to Muslims during Ramadan:

1. Greet them with “Ramadan Mubarak”. The meaning of which is “Happy Ramadan”. At the end of Ramadan, when they begin to celebrate the Eid ul-Fitr, you can wish them “Eid Mubarak”, which simply means “Happy Holiday”.
2. Refrain from eating or drinking around Muslims but of course, if you do, it’s not necessarily offensive. Consider helping them out by not reminding them by the sights and smells of food. Think of how you might feel when you are hungry.
3. Empty stomachs can have odorous side effects. Unfortunately, a fasting individual can’t take a mint or chew gum to counter the issue. In all sincerity, they do practice good oral hygiene. Just be patient.
4. Muslims are Java people do. Therefore, they might be going through their own withdrawals of not having enough caffeine and especially with the long days during the summer, extra worship activities, they might show some signs of fatigue. Do your best to engage them in a supportive manner. Muslims are everyday people, striving to improve themselves. They’re far from perfect, so don’t expect that. Achieving patience, takes patience.
5. If a Muslim invites you to an Iftar, fast breaking meal, consider yourself a lucky person. Come on time and come with an empty stomach. Unless they ask you to bring some food, there is no need. Usually there will be more than enough and you will probably go home with some left overs.
6. Many Muslim Scouting units hold Scout Iftars. Contact your local Muslim Scouting unit and find out when their Iftar is. They would love to have you.

If you need help in finding a Muslim Scouting unit or if you are a Muslim Scouting unit and you are holding a Scouting Iftar and would like to share information about your event, feel free to let us know. If you have any questions, comments, or an event you would like to share, please feel free to send us an email at namas@muslimscouting.org, or share a post about your event to our Facebook page  or join our Facebook group to share and discuss more.