‘Joining Scouts was a turning point in my life’ – Anes’s story

My life journey is probably quite different to lots of other Scouts in the UK. 

My journey started in Sweden, my birthplace, but soon after I embarked on a new chapter in Egypt. Growing up there, I learned the Arabic language, but I always tried to embrace and learn about my Eritrean heritage while shaping my identity. 

At the age of 8, I arrived in the UK, just as countless young people across the country were beginning their Scouts journey. As a young teenage Muslim boy, moving to a new country, where Islam wasn't the norm, I faced challenges and felt the need to hide my identity. I remember feeling self-conscious about wearing a thobe, which is a long loose-fitting garment worn by Muslim men to promote modesty. I was worrying about what others might think or say. It was tough to be myself, especially when it came to practising my faith.  

I vividly recall the struggle to find a place to pray at school and the resistance we faced from the school's leadership team. But, despite the obstacles, I and other Muslim students stood together, praying in a large group on the playground, proud to show that Islam was a part of our identity. It was a mix of fear and pride, knowing that we were asserting our rights and proving that we can pray anywhere, even if the school didn't provide a designated space.  

Unfortunately, the challenges extended beyond school. Walking with my mother and hearing racial abuse being hurled at her, because of her choice to dress a certain way and cover her hair, was both heart-breaking and confusing. It made me question why we were treated differently and seen as less than, simply because we looked different and practised a different belief system. Our acts of faith, such as praying, didn't harm anyone else, yet we constantly faced judgement and discrimination.  

Islamophobia is something complex, as it often intertwines itself with other forms of discrimination, leading to different experiences across the wide diversity of the Muslim community.  

As a young, black, Muslim man, I often felt targeted and isolated with a whirlwind of emotions and confusion. Discrimination based on the colour of my skin wasn't something uncommon. It led me to place mental barriers in my own head, making me believe I was inferior, despite my religion telling me otherwise.  

However, Scouts came into my life and provided a safe space where I could express myself freely and discover my true identity. During my teenage years, my mother started bringing me along to a local group in Birmingham, who met in a Mosque frequented by the local community. Through the weekly sessions I was able to benefit from the programme, as well as meet with people who looked like me and felt the same experiences as I did. 

Scouts helped me understand and embrace my religion and skin colour, reaching a stage where I am not only comfortable with them, but also proud to claim them as integral parts of who I am. Scouts truly made a difference in my life. 

It provided a supportive community where I met other Muslims of all ages who shared similar experiences. These individuals became my role models, showing me that I could achieve great things. They inspired me to break down barriers and make a difference, not only for myself, but also for future generations.  

Through conversations with these Muslim leaders, I realised that I had the potential to achieve even more than I had ever imagined. They showed me that the barriers placed in our way could be overcome, and by excelling in every aspect of life, whether it’s school, pursuing a successful career or volunteering in the community, I could pave the way for those who come after me. 

I also had several opportunities to work with the Muslim Scout Fellowship (MSF), which is a national Scouts Active Support Unit (SASU).  The MSF provided me with opportunities to grow as I led several national events. This allowed me to grow as a leader. It also allowed me to meet hundreds and thousands of Scout volunteers and young people across the country, all of whom having their own unique experiences that I was able to share and resonate with in different ways.

Now that I am 21, I’m an active Explorer leader, seeing the struggle and concerns of a new generation of teenagers. It makes me reflect on my own experience and fills me with a sense of hope and responsibility. I hope that through my own experience, I’ll be able to support more young people through their own journeys.