Egyptian Scouting


Figure 1.--The most destinctive feature of the Egyptian Scout uniforms at the 1937 World Jamboree was their fezes.

HBU has been able to find virtually no information on Egyptian Scouting. Antonis Benakis, son of a rich Greek cotton merchant and philanthropest Emmanuel Benakis, was the founder of both the Greek boy scouts in Egypt, but also of the Egyptian scouts. We are not sure just when they were founded, but believe it was about 1912. Some Scouting activity has been reported earlier including groups affiliated with the short-lived World Order of Scouting. This group was the earliest World Scouting organisation. The Egyptian Scouts were presumably also influenced by British Scouts as Britain had a strong presence in Egypt until the 1950s because of the Suez Canal. We do not know to what extent Egyptian Scouting was integrated. There was a Jewish group in 1920. Egypt is the most populace country in the Middle East and probably has the largest Scout movement in the area. As in most of the Middle East, the Scout movement in Egypt appears to be relatively small. Most of the participants were presumabbly middle class boys from somewhat westernized families in the larger cities, especially Alexandria and Cairo. We do know that Egyptian Scouts have attended many World Jamborees. Egyptian Scouts are also strong supporters of Pan-Arab-Jamborees. The 6th Pan-Arab Jamboree was held in Alexandria Egypt duting 1964. The Egyptian Government has issued postage stamps commemorating the Scouts. Egypt in 1997 issued a 75p airmail stamp to commemorate the 85th Anniversary of Arab Scouting. Given the radicalization of politics in the Middle East during recent years, however, the Scout movement may have suffered. I doubt if Arab militants are favorably disposed to a uniformed group that they probably view as Western-inspired if not organized. We have not, however, been able to find any definitive information on the movement in Egypt. Hopefully, Egyptian readers will update HBU on the status of the country's Scout movement. We have little information on Egyptian Scout uniforms at this time. We have noted that for many years the Scout cap was a fez. Presumably it was red, but we are not positive about this.

History

HBU has been able to find virtually no information on Egyptian Scouting. Antonis Benakis, son of a rich Greek cotton merchant and philanthropest Emmanuel Benakis, was the founder of both the Greek boy scouts in Egypt, but also of the Egyptian scouts. There also seems to have been an early British troop in Alexandria. We are not sure just when Scouts were first active in Egypt, perhaps about 1912 Egyptian Federation for Scouts (EFS) was founded in 1914. Some Scouting activity has been reported earlier including groups affiliated with the short-lived World Order of Scouting. This group was the earliest World Scouting organisation. The Egyptian Scouts were presumably also influenced by British Scouts as Britain had a strong presence in Egypt until the 1950s because of the Suez Canal. It is interesting a Greek immigrant played an important role in founding Egyptian Scouting. EFS was among the charter members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (1922).

Diversity

Egypt is a predominately Muslim country. There were some minority groups. There was a substantial Christian (Coptic) minority which in recent years has come under increasing pressure from fundamentist Muslims. There was also a small Jewish population which after the intensification of the Aran-Isreali conflict was expelled. There was also a small British community in Egypt until after World War II. We do not know to what extent Egyptian Scouting was integrated. We note a Jewish troop in 1920.

Gender

Egyptian Guiding was founded (1913). This was a very progressive step in 1913 even in Europe, but especially in an Arab country. This may have beebn the first Guide group in the Arab world. Egyptian was generally more progressive than other Arab countries, many of which at the time were colonies. Egypt became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (1931). The Guides joined with the Scouts to form The Egyptian Federation for Scouts and Girl Guides (EFSGG). There were about 92,000 Girl Guides (2003). Interestingly that was more than the number of Scouts. We are not sure how common this is in the Arab World.

Popularity

Egypt is the most populace country in the Middle East and probably has the largest Scout movement in the area. As in most of the Middle East, the Scout movement in Egypt appears to be relatively small. Most of the participants were presumabbly middle class boys from somewhat westernized families in the larger cities, especially Alexandria and Cairo.

Sponsoring Groups

Most Egyptian Scout troops are associated with schools, clubs, mosques, and churches. Rover units are generally associated with high schools and universities.

Activities

Egyptian Scouts are active in community service. They are involved in a range civic projects of desert reclamation, work camps, blood drives, medical care, and other projects. Scouts are offered a variety vocational training and the practical skills needed to help develop communities. Scouts are taught how to help meet community needs. They learn the importance of planting trees where firewood may be limited. An important effort is made to teach how to build energy efficient stoves. The projects pursued make use of the practical skills (carpentry, electricity and plumbing) that the Scouts are taught.

Jamborees

We do know that Egyptian Scouts have attended many World Jamborees. Egyptian Scouts are also strong supporters of Pan-Arab-Jamborees. The 6th Pan-Arab Jamboree was held in Alexandria Egypt duting 1964.

Arab Scouting

The Egyptian Government issued postage stamps commemorating the Scouts. Egypt in 1997 issued a 75p airmail stamp to commemorate the 85th Anniversary of Arab Scouting.

Radicalization

Given the radicalization of politics in the Middle East during recent years, however, the Scout movement may have suffered. I doubt if Arab militants are favorably disposed to a uniformed group that they probably view as Western-inspired if not organized. We have not, however, been able to find any definitive information on the movement in Egypt.

Uniform

We have little information on Egyptian Scout uniforms at this time. We have noted that for many years the Scout cap was a fez. Presumably it was red, but we are not positive about this.







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Created: February 6, 2002
Last updated: 12:15 AM 10/1/2008