ORGANISERS of High Wycombe's first Muslim scout group say it is open for everyone to join.

The 28th High Wycombe scout group celebrated its first investitures into the cub pack last week, and hope to expand to start a scout troop soon.

Some people commenting on the Bucks Free Press website have questioned whether it is right to have a group organised along religious lines.

Zahid Jawed, a spokesman for the Wycombe Islamic Society (WISE), which helped set up the group, said many were organised on a religious basis.

He said: “The group is open for anyone to join. The idea behind it is to make it more convenient for Muslim children, as they know any food they get will be halal, and there will be prayer time.

“They will also be taking part in activities with other packs, and getting to know other children that way.”

He added WISE decided to start the group because they “admire the values” of scouts, and it was decided to start the group because local Muslim children were not getting involved elsewhere.

Chris Foster, a spokesman for the Scout Association, said more groups like this were being encouraged across the country, to attract more children and adults to scouting.

He said: “These groups are all inclusive. Scouts is a multi-faith organisation, but members should have faith of some sort.

“In the High Wycombe area there were youth clubs set up but they had no bigger picture. By being part of Scouts they are part of a UK wide organisation.”