AA. Can you please try to address the following questions for Jamboree:

1. What is your best advice for making wudu. Since my son will be the only scout among his entire troop who is Muslim, and sometimes it can be awkward to try to make wudu from a basin, etc. when one is alone. Do you have any idea how far the scouts will be from a tap?

2. What will be the provision for halal meals? Since my son, again, is the only Muslim in his troop, and they are cooking by patrols. Do you think this will cause a social issue for my son? Will he have to prepare his food separately from his entire patrol?

3. Do you know how halal lunches will be handled at the lunch kiosks? Will the lunch tickets be coded for halal and halal sandwiches will be on hand?

As-Salaamu Alaikum

1. Question: What is your best advice for making wudu. Since my son will be the only scout among his entire troop who is Muslim, and sometimes it can be awkward to try to make wudu from a basin, etc. when one is alone. Do you have any idea how far the scouts will be from a tap?

Answer: There will be water stations throughout the Jamboree grounds. InshaAllah, taking wudhu although might look awkward to some, the fact is during the hot humid days of Virginia, the site of taking wudhu will most likely be copied by others who also wish to cool off. I have personally asked non-Muslims who were my buddy to hold my canteen or other water container to allow me to take wudhu. It is an excellent opportunity for dawah.

2. What will be the provision for halal meals? Since my son, again, is the only Muslim in his troop, and they are cooking by patrols. Do you think this will cause a social issue for my son? Will he have to prepare his food separately from his entire patrol?

Answer: The National Islamic Commitee on Scouting has TWO leaders who will be working Halal food. MAKE SURE your son is registered as desiring Halal food. We are finding that the list we have right now is not as much as we expect and we don't see names of boys we expect to see. We have asked BSA to verify their lists but we strongly encourage the Scouts to VERIFY this to be the case.

Natalie, our Halal Food Commitee Chair has passed on to us that breakfast and lunch will be picked up at the kiosk at the same time. Effectively, you will have your lunch with you from the morning. Meals will be individually wrapped and labeled for the Scout/Scouter. Dinner will be eaten at the Patrol site and will also be individually prepared.

Will this be a social issue? Although we can't guarantee reactions of the boys, it is fair to say that the leaders of the Jamboree Troops are well trained leaders and will make sure to step in if there are any issues. Our advice is that the boys show pride and confidence in their actions. Most people will show curiosity so they should be prepared to answer in friendly and concise manners questions about their practice. Again, this is an excellent teaching/dawah opportunity.

3. Do you know how halal lunches will be handled at the lunch kiosks? Will the lunch tickets be coded for halal and halal sandwiches will be on hand?

Answer: This is answered above.