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Around
100 Scouts and their leaders from all over Luton have just visited
Luton's Central Mosque to learn more about Islam. And they also had the
chance to earn their World Faith Badge after a quiz set by the
organisers.
The event
was master minded by Group Scout Leader Hasan Nasiri who runs the Beech
Hill Muslim Scout Group. With the help of quiz master Cub Scout Leader
Waqar Sheikh he later set the youngsters a quiz to test their knowledge
of the Islamic world to help then gain their award.
The early
evening traffic outside the mosque in Westbourne Road was busier than
usual as parents dropped off over 70 inquisitive Beavers, Cubs and
Scouts for the event. Hasan gathered them all together and whispered,
"There are prayers being said downstairs so we'll take our shoes off
and quietly go upstairs to see the exhibition we have put on for you."
The Scouts were fascinated by the mosque with its deep red carpet and no
pictures. As Hasan explained, "The important notices are the words of
Mohammed." He went on, "We wanted you to see what a mosque is like, to
understand our festivals and to see where and how we pray.
Scout
members of the Beech Hill Group were on hand to answer any questions and
they did so with a real joy at being able to share a part of their
upbringing.
Downstairs, in the area reserved for prayers, Hasan Nasiri and Waqar
Sheikh settled the Scouts cross legged on the floor facing Mecca and
began the quiz. One question was about the five pillars of Islam. Over
half the Scouts leapt to their feet to answer. They knew that these were
not actual pillars but rules given to Mohammed by God. They include,
belief in God, pray five times a day, fast for 30 days, give 2½% of your
wealth to charity and make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
One Cub
Scout asked Hasan how he finds time to pray. His answer, "I work for a
merchant bank in London and instead of taking a smoke break I find a
quiet corner to pray. It helps to take your mind off things that are
troubling you."
Another
Scout wanted to know about the need for a bathroom upstairs. Hasan
explained, "That's where we wash our arms, face and feet before we pray.
It's to make us clean."
The
winners of the quiz were the Leagrave Scout Group who received a tin of
sweets. And all the Scouts took away a fun pack of Islamic mementoes.
The surprise of the evening was that they had all gained their World
Faith Badge. |