Boy Scouts to integrate Islamic faith

Aug. 20, 2006 at 11:57PM

Boy Scout enthusiast Hassene Chaabane is spearheading the formation of the first Muslim troop in Florida's Gulf Stream Council.
The Council covers Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Hendry counties.
"I can't imagine the life of a boy without Boy Scouts," Chaabane, 31, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Chaabane, a native of Tunisia, drives from his home in Hallandale Beach to attend the Boca Raton mosque and help form Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troop 394. Participating in scouting in his homeland helped him grow into the man he is today, he said.
Members of the mosque approached Jennifer Thomason, district executive of the Gulf Stream Council, about starting a new troop.
She is helping the elders at the mosque train to become troop leaders for the more than 40 children already signed up, while learning about the differences between the Islamic way of raising children and traditional American ways.
Troop 394 will approach scouting from a family perspective, Thomason said, involving girls and parents in activities