Duty, Honor and Allah

Yes, there are Muslim Boy Scouts--and bound by an oath to serve God and country, they want to change views about their faith and loyalties

What's up, Jihad?" Shamez Hemani was waiting in line to try out the shotguns at the National Scout Jamboree earlier this month when, he says, a white kid behind him asked that question. Shamez, 14, and four fellow scouts--all sons of Pakistani immigrants and members of all-Muslim Troop 797 in Houston--stood frozen for a couple of seconds. "Then we asked him what he said," Shamez says. "We were like, 'Do you know what it means?' And he was like, 'No.' He apologized. After you talk to them, you realize that it's not intentional--just ignorance." Not that it makes such jibes easier...

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